Balinese Mask

Mask has been used for many different purposes by many countries. Some of the functions are as a protection on human's face, used in a performance or amusement in certain ceremonial, and some people use them for a concealment.

Mask is also very attached with Balinese people, I would say that it's part of Balinese culture. The wearing of mask is involved in almost all Balinese dance. Mask is used to identify the bad and good character. Some of the mask used in Balinese dance is even said to have magical charge. The oldest Balinese mask called as topeng pejagen (red: topeng means mask) performed in the sacred inner courtyard in Bali's temple.

In the current age the use of mask in Bali has been more popular as a part of entertainment.

Melasti Day - 2

When I saw the Melasti Festival at Kuta, Bali, I was lucky that they include Bali Dance in the festival. I didn't see the same dance at other Melasti Festival which were also conducted at other areas.

Kecak Dance - Part II

Other part of Kecak Dance.

Kecak Dance

Bali is very well known with the beauty of it's dance. One of a famous dance which tourists usually eager to see is Kecak Dance, the one shown in this picture. The dance is played without music, the sounds of "cak-cak" from the 50 men playing in the dance become the music of it. The dance tells us the story of Ramayana fighting with Rahwana who kidnapped his wife, Shinta.
Kecak dance I watch in this picture was conducted at Uluwatu, Bali, a very beautiful hill from where we can see the sea from a high (I will show you other picture of Ulundanu in other chance). However there're other places in Bali where you can see Kecak Dance, like Batu Bulan.

Barong, Bali

Still around Bali Dance..the picture above taken from the same moment with the first one. The cute creature beside me was Mr. Barong (hehe..). He's the main actor in Barong Dance. Barong is the host of good in the story shows by the Barong Dance. In the story Mr. Barong saved a prince from the evil, Rangda. Hm...you may try to watch it sometime if you interested to know the whole story.

Bali Dancer

A bit confuse where to start, I think it might be good to start here, my favorite one, Bali! Bali is my most favorite place for holiday so far. I love almost every aspect there, including the dance. This picture was taken in 2006. Those two beautiful ladies are the dancer for Barong and Keris dance attraction in Bali. Barong and Keris dance attraction can be seen in several places in Bali incuding Denpasar and Batu Bulan.