Kebyar Duduk

In 1925 I Ketut Maria (also known as Mario’) the most famous Balinese dancer of this century, debuted his Kebyar Duduk a dance performed entirely while seated on the ground. With no narrative to tell, the Kebyar dancer presents a range of moods from coquettishness to bashfulness, and from sweet imploring to anger. Mario himself performed this while playing the trompong (a long instrument with 14 inverted kettle gongs), using theatrics and flashy moves to coax sound from the instrument.

Baris Gede

The mass warrior dance, Baris Gede is often performed at temple ceremonies. Baris dances are rooted in courtly rituals of war; the term baris refers to a formation of warriors. Groups of men attired in military style headresses and bearing spears, krisses and shields form lines (baris) and enact a fearsome war dance in unison. The tempo builds up into a mock battle and sometimes eventuates in trance. This dance is generally unrehearsed, performed by men of the village as a guard of honour for the visiting deities.