Barong and Rangda Two of the most important mystical characters in Bali are Barong and Rangda. These represent the two opposing forces of the Balinese world ; one which is benign and beneficial to men and the other which is malign and against man, good and evil. Barong is the right side, a male who is the sun, light, medicine, and antidote for evil - the white magic. Rangda is the left, a female widow queen of the witches who is in the night and darkness which bring sickness and death - the black magic. Barong is a four leg mhythological creature potrayed by two men, the most common form is a lion has a long hair and jaunty tail is supported and danced by two mwn which the men in front operating the mask with his hands. The barong mask has a large crown, bulging eyes and prominent teeth with mobile shapping jaws. The beard is the most sacred part of the barong and where his power is concentrated. Rangda is portrayed as a monstrous old woman with long and hanging breast. The mask has bulging eyes, fangs, a long red tounge, white hair reaching her feet and a crown of red flame, she often wears a necklace of entrails. Rangda has long fingernail claws and waves a white cloth from which comes her magic. The climax of the conflict between Barong and Rangda is when kris dancers in trance rush to barong's assistance by attacking rangda. The witch's magic reverse the dancers anger and they turn the kris (short sword) on themselves, trying to stab their body. But the barong with even more powerful magic protect the man by making them invulnerable to their stabs which can not pierce the skin. |
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