The Barong Dance - Bali Version

Barong is a lion-like creature and character in the mythology of Bali, Indonesia.  He is the king of the spirits, leader of the hosts of good, and enemy of Rangda, the demon queen and mother of all spirit guarders in the mythological traditions of Bali.  The battle between Barong and Rangda is featured in Barong dance to represent the eternal battle between good and evil.

The lion barong is one of five traditional Barongs. In Bali each region of the island has its own protective spirit for its forests and lands. Each Barong for each region is modeled after a different animal. They are:

1. Barong Ket: lion barong, the most common Barong, it is the symbol of a good spirit.
2. Barong Landung: giant barong, the form is similar to Betawi Ondel-ondel
3. Barong Celeng: boar barong
4. Barong Macan: tiger barong
5. Barong Naga: dragon (or serpent) barong

The mythical creature would dance along the street to the Calon Arang dance.  A priest would throw holy water at it.

• The dance opens with two (2) playful monkeys teasing Barong in a peaceful environment. 
• The next scene is popularly known as "Keris Dance".  The Rangda character appears and wreaks havoc.  She casts black magic upon male dancers, who represent Airlangga's soldiers, and orders them to commit suicide. In a trance, these men stab themselves on their chest with their own Keris.  Meanwhile Barong and the priest cast protective magic on these men, which makes them invulnerable to sharp objects.
• The dance ends with the final battle between Barong and Rangda, concluding with the victory of Barong over Rangda.  Rangda runs away, the evil is defeated, and the celestial order is restored.

(source: Wikipedia)