3 Must-see Cultural Performances in Bali

There is no end to the discussion of unique things that can be explored in Bali -- the island of the Gods. Since it was first made popular in the 60's, Bali has been frequented by tourists faithfully every year. As such, not only are there plenty of accommodations, from hostels to luxury villas, there are also never ending things to do.

Image source: balitourismboard.org

  Having a vacation in Bali is fun. This island is rich in art and culture, well seen in the colorful lifestyle on the island. Balinese culture is already well known, even in foreign countries. One of the interesting types of art and culture that attracts tourists is dancing. Some of the typical dances of Bali have even appeared in video games and major Hollywood productions.

Famous Dances Originating in Bali

There are numerous traditional dances in Bali, but here are the three most famous dances that you could probably get a glimpse of during your holiday in Bali.

Kecak Dance

It is a dance of Balinese art that tells the story of Ramayana and is played by men. This dance performed by dozens of male percussionists, sitting in a circular position and creating a rhythm with their voices, while the dancers take the stage.

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 According to the famous encyclopedia website, the dance depicting the Ramayana when Rama line of apes help fight Ravana. According to the same website, Kecak derived from ritual Sanghyang, ie where the dancers will be in unconscious condition, to communicate with God or spirits of the ancestors and then convey to the public expectations.

There is a distinctive feature of the dancers, what is it? Plaid fabric worn by the dancers in the circle.

Pendet dance

This dance was originally a worship dance commonly performed in Hindu temples and places of worship in Bali, Indonesia. This dance symbolizes the reception on the decline of the Gods to the world. But over time and age, Pendet changed to "welcome greeting", although it still contains certain sacred religious elements.

By Crisco 1492 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36604034

Unlike other dances that require intensive training, Pendet can be done by everyone, both men and women, adults and even children.

Janger dance

Also among the most popular Balinese dances, Janger is a social dance between young couples in Bali. This dance is performed by 10 dancers in pairs, the group daughter (Janger) and son (Kecak).
Janger dance movements are simple but done cheerfully and with high energy and excitement. The dance is accompanied by gamelan Batel or Tetamburan and gender wayang.

Janger songs are now more popular outside Bali and often sung by the Indonesian team in international choral championships.

There you have three dances from Bali that are worth a watch during your holiday in Bali. But, keep in mind that there are still many other interesting traditional dances from Bali.

While embarking on your cultural trip to Bali, you may want to find a luxury hotel that fits the mood. For this, you may want to choose a hotel away from the bustle of the city but not far from the tourist attractions.

Which hotel are we talking about in particular?  Located in Tabanan, this luxury hotel features a complete 5-star hotel facilities and outstanding service. Set against a spectacular natural landscape, Royal Tulip Saranam provides luxury living together with peace and comfort for guests. With a range of beautiful accommodations and private villas to choose from, this Bali mountain retreat may be just what you're looking for.

Got any other cultural dances from Bali that we should add to our list? Let us know in the comments. 

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