Barong Landung

Barong Landung is different from other Barong dances in Bali. In Barong Landung, the two dancers do not take the figure of animals, but of the two giant puppets, a male and a female. (Landung means tall).

The male giant barong is called Jero Gede (big person) and the female giant barong is called Jero Luh (female person). Each barong is played by a man. Jero Gede has a frightening black face, while Jero Luh has a comical white or yellow face. Together they perform a comic, opera sung in Balinese, with a story usually taken from history.

Barong Landung is derived from the folktale. On Nusa Penida Island, once lived an incestuous giant demon, Jero Gede Mecaling. One day, he went to Bali Island, followed by a horde of devils. He landed in South Bali in the form of a barong and waited there while the devils went inland to destroy. The people frightened and consulted a priest who told them to create another barong like Jero Gede Mecaling to scare away the demon. The people then made a big barong and succeeded in frightening the giant demon back to Nusa Penida. Since then, the barong has been used to exorcise illness and evil spirits.

Barong Landung is usually performed on Galungan days, around Denpasar and Serangan Island. In Southern Bali, Barong Landung is accompanied by smaller puppets which play the roles of prince and princess.