| The people of Bali, Indonesia, perform numerous traditional dances. The dance most popular with tourists is the Barong &
Rangda, a battle between good and evil. Barong is a strange creature, part shaggy dog, part
lion, propelled like a circus horse by two dancers and the symbol of all things good. Barong wears a wooden mask like a large animal head
,beautifully carved and brightly coloured in red, white, black and gold. It is topped by a crown extending outwards to the sides of the
head. The widow-witch Rangda is the queen of death and devourer of
children. She practices the destructive forces of black magic and all things
evil. Her mask is dark and foreboding, with a protruding red and gold tongue of
fire. Of course Barong always triumphs over evil Rangda and saves all the unfortunate beings from stabbing themselves to
death! |
