BARIS DANCE

A Balinese dance that Glorifying Manhood and Invoking The Gods.

Derived from the word baris which means a line of troops, the Baris Dance is a war dance depicting warriors preparing to confront the enemy. The powerful rhythm of the accompanying Gong Kebyar and Gong Gede, intensifies the movements. The dancers come out on stage holding spears or swords and shields, depending on the type of Baris Dance; their firm steps making a convincingly loud sound. They really look like warriors going to the war, while in fact the dance is also performed to welcome The Gods and Ancestors to earth.

The dance is usually performed by a group of eight to 40 men wearing the traditional garb of a warrior with ornaments on the chest and back, and also a head ornament. The costume that the dancers wear differs depending on regency because almost all regencies in Bali have a signature Baris dance. In the Baris dance staged at the beginning of cremation ceremony in Badung Regency, for example, the dancers wear a black and whith checked costume and tote black and white checked spears. While in Jemberana Regency the predominate colors in red.

The Baris dance is a sacred dance performed not only during cremation ceremonies but also temple anniversary ceremonies and other holy celebrations because it is believed that during these ceremonies The gods, Goddesses and Ancestors come down to earth to give blessings. So the dance is performed to welcome them, to entertain and also as a thanksgiving.