Kecak, Legong & Barong dance

Dance is one of Bali's great art forms, performed in temples, palaces and village halls. Three styles are best known to visitors: Kecak, with its circle of chanting men; Legong, a refined dance traditionally performed by young girls; and Barong, a dance-drama about the struggle between good and evil. In 2015, UNESCO recognized three genres of traditional dance in Bali as Intangible Cultural Heritage, including Legong Kraton and Barong Ket.

Kecak grew out of sanghyang, a trance ritual accompanied by a male chorus. In the 1930s, the German painter and musician Walter Spies worked with the dancer Wayan Limbak of Bedulu to adapt it into a dance drama based on the Ramayana for audiences beyond the temple, and Limbak later took performances abroad. Legong developed from older forms, while the Barong drama pits the lion-like Barong against the witch Rangda and usually ends in balance rather than victory.

Watching a performance is a highlight of any trip. In Ubud, palace courtyards and temples host evening shows almost every night, with gamelan orchestras and elaborate costumes. Kecak at Uluwatu Temple, staged on the cliff at sunset, is especially dramatic, with dozens of voices chanting in a circle around the dancers. Barong performances are often held in the morning in villages near Ubud. Arrive early to choose a good seat.