This
is basically a story about the struggle between
good and evil. Good is personified by the Barong
Keket, a strange, fun-loving creature in the shape
of a shaggy semi-lion. Evil is represented by
Rangda, a witch. Ultimately, the two characters
engage in battle, at which point the Barong's
Keris-bearing followers rush in to attack Rangda.
The which, however, uses her magical powers to
turn the Keris knives in upon their owners, who
fall into a trance and start trying to stab themselves.
The Barong uses magic to protect his followers
from the knives. In the end, the Barong triumphs
and Rangda retreats to recuperate her strength
for the next encounter.
All that remains is for a priest to help the keris
dancers out of their trance, with the help of
a little holy water. The Barong and Rangda dance
is very powerful performance and is not taken
lightly by those involved. |
