Ngelawang, a unique Barong Dance
on the street
Yesterday, I went to Penglipuran Village , Bangli Regency. Then I saw a unique barong dance called Ngelawang. Ngelawang is a unique tradition in Bali that is held by performing
Barong dance on the street, performed by moving from one place to
another and mostly only can be found in Galungan and Kuningan
celebration. This tradition can be found almost in all villages around
Bali. The tradition is believed already exists since tens of years ago
from generation to generation.
 |
| (Ngelawang Tradition) |
“Ngelawang” tradition is inherited from generation to generation aims
to neutralize the universe, rejecting any kind of diseases that
interfere with human life, including “niskala” (abstract / not visible),
expelling people who mean harm, interfere with the security of Bali.Ngelawang tradition in the context of sacred magical as an offering
to reject harms as the meaning of ngelawang during Galungan until
Kuningan.
The name of Ngelawang came from the words ‘lawang’, which means
‘door’, so generally ngelawang means a performance that performed by
moving to one place to other place or from one village to another.
Nowadays, Ngelawang is not only performed by adult, it is also
performed by kids with their own creativity in performing barong dance
accompanied by its gamelan (traditional music).
The performance in Ngelawang using sacred barong which is performed
by grown up people is held by taking the barong around the village and
performing the barong dance when they passing a temple. Meanwhile the
one that is held by children is an entertainment and they will perform
the dance when someone gives any offering and donation to them when
walking around the village.
MORE PHOTOS
