Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids

Mythic Creatures | Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids

How can a mythic creature be brought to life?

Creatures like the unicorn and griffin spring from the human imagination to populate myths and legends. And sometimes people can interact with mythic animals when they come to life as part of a play or performance. The hulking, shaggy Barong of Bali, for instance, appears in ritual dramas, lumbering through the crowds, engaging audience members directly and inviting them to take an active part in the myth-making. As villagers participate in Barong's fight against the forces of chaos in the performance, they are assured that calm has been restored and that all is right in the world.

Barong Ket
King of the spirits, leader of the forces of good, Barong Ket is like an oversized village guardian for many residents of the island of Bali, Indonesia. When the witch Rangda creates chaos, the lionlike Barong Ket comes to the rescue, fighting off the villains with a ferocious display that brings back a balance between good and evil. But Barong Ket is also mischievous, often teasing and joking with village residents. Most villages in Bali have a Barong costume similar to this one, and young men take theirs on the road to visit other Barong as part of a seasonal celebration. These trips also bring neighboring communities together and allow the young men to meet women outside their village.

At A Glance: Barong Ket
Different regions in Bali have different Barong costumes, each resembling a different animal. Barong Ket resembles a lion, Barong Bangkal a wild boar, Barong Machan a tiger, Barong Lembu a cow and Barong Asu a dog.

	Barong Ket is the best known kind of Barong because it is from the Gianyar region where the tourist hub of Ubud is located.
	One dancer is responsible for moving the head and clacking the teeth.
	A second dancer wiggles Barong's golden tail.
	Barong costumes may have been inspired by the elaborate costumes of the Chinese Lion and Unicorn Dances.

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