Part 3.2 - Barong and Rangda Mythology

The Indonesian Lion (Parong) in the written documents of the Parong Evangelism, mentions the meaning of Parong not only, each with different views, and the origin of the word derived from the Sanskrit word Barong Bhairawa in (Zoetmulder, PJ Old JavaneseIndonesian dictionary) means scary, The scary Shiva worshipers of Bhairawa present, because of the influence of languages spoken in the parts that distinguish the language used in one place with the language used elsewhere, although its substitutes come from one language, it has become Brerong. In the Bali-Indonesian Dictionary, Brerong means a kind of witty forest or cats. Then Bererong said he became Barong.^[1]

Legend of Bali has a character called Barong. He is the supreme leader of souls and represents kindness. He is the enemy of Rangda in legendary folkloric folklore. Barong and Rangda, similar to the sign of good and evil. Parong is a brand of frightening and positive force and Rangda is a kind of negative and demonic action. The island of Bali is known for "RWA Bhineda" where equilibrium is reached because the two elements of this balance is the strength of positive and negative yen, and yang. If the item is not in the normal balance, it will fall / collapse. Parong and Rangda are highly respected by the Hindus in Bali, cited in the performance of Shiva Tatwa Lontar male history of Rangda and Parong. In Lontar, it was said that when V Sang Tilem (month of death) Sasih Chiang Shiva turned over to the ground, because his wife became a very disturbing woman. When it comes to Shiva's wife, Hyang Perawi has become an unimaginable and terrifying person on this earth. Seeing that after he set foot on the ground, Sang Hiang Shiva gradually turned into a giant pota egeg or parong. Barong looks scary with brightly colored spherical eyes. With the transformation of the giant model, it gradually turns into his wife, who turns scary and no longer deals with the earthly man of earthly intelligence.^[2]

Rangda, of Rangda origin, says Rangda, which is known in Bali, is an old Javanese language that means "widow". Rangda is called a widow of Tri Wangsa Group For: Vaishya, Ksatria, Brahmin. While the so-called "Palau" is called. "Balu" said in Bali alus (the highest level in Bali) is Rangda. Rangda is a representative of the pessimistic forces. It is assumed that the followers of magic in Bali are able to change their shape, and resemble Rangda (the journey), thus stumbling between the leak (Black Magic) and Rangda in Bora^[3].

The above are prominent in Bali legends. The Battle of Rangda v. Parong often offers dances. This dance is known and is an important legacy in the history of Bali. Rangda is told as a woman with long, neglected hair and has long nails, tongue and chest. His face was horrible and he was pointing to Jackin. The search for skaral in economic presentation is what the researcher believes confuses the general public and tourists by understanding the existence, function and importance of barong and Rangda truth.

"The story of Parong and Rangda is believed to be a sign of justice and evil"^[4]

Calong Arang

On the other hand, Rangda is the opposite of Parong. Although Parong represents good, Rangda represents evil. Rangda is known as the queen of devils, the embodiment of Calon Arang, the legendary witch who ravaged ancient Java in the reign of Airlaga in the 10th century. Kalon Arang is said to have been a widow, strong in black magic, often destroying crops and causing disease. She had a daughter, whose name was Ratna Manggali, which although beautiful, could not be a husband because people were afraid of his mother. Because of her daughter's difficulties, Kalun Arang was angry and planned to retaliate by abducting a girl. The girl was taken to the temple to sacrifice Durga gods. The next day, floodwaters flooded the village and many people died. The disease has also emerged.

Then King Erlangja, who had heard about the case, asked his adviser, Embo Baharada, to deal with the problem. Embo Bharada sent his pupil, Imbo Bahula, to marry Ratna. Both were married with a big party that lasted seven days and seven nights and the situation returned to normal. Kallon Arang had a book containing magic mascots. One day, this book was found by Empu Bahula, entrusted to Empu Bharada. Once Kalon Arang learned that the book had been stolen, she became angry and decided to fight Imbo Bharada. Without Durga's help, Kallon Arang was defeated. Since his defeat, the village was immune to the dark magic of Arun Kalon.

Rangda

According to another version, the Rangda is actually linked to the historical Queen Mahandradata or Gunapriyadharmapatni, the sister of the Javanese princess Darmawangsa Dynasty Javyenne Isyana the late Medang United. The Queen's wife was Baldiana Odayana, the mother of Erlanga herself. Mahendradatta is known for his devotion to the Durga cult in Bali. The story says that Mahandradata, a mother of Erlaga, was sentenced by Erlaga's father to the practice of black magic. Widowed (Rangda in the old Javanese means "widow"), hurt and humiliated, she sought revenge for her former husband's court and his whole kingdom. It summoned all the evil spirits of the forest, leyaks and devils that caused plague and death in the kingdom.

Airlangga faces his mother to save the kingdom. The battle took place, but she and her dark magical powers were so powerful that the Airlangga had to ask the help of the King of Spirits, Barong, to defeat them. Barong came with the Airlangga soldiers, and then began fighting. Rangda cast a mantra pushed Airlangga soldiers to commit suicide, referring to poisoned keris on their stomachs and chests. In response, Barong casts compensation to make the soldiers' bodies resistant to the acute Kereis. In the end, Barong won and ran Rangda.

Barong Dance

Barong Dance Show with dancers in Chris and Rangda in Bali.

Lion is the most popular because it comes from the Gianyar region, where Ubud (home of the worn-out ritual dance for tourists) is located. In Arang Calon, a dance drama featuring Barong, Barong responds to Rangda's use of magic to control her and kill her to rebalance. In traditional dance performances in Barong, he is a representative in his struggle against Rangda, this is the popular part of Balinese culture. The legendary creature was dancing along the street to Calang Arang Dance. A priest who throws holy water there.

• Opens dance with two cheerful monkeys teasing Parong in a peaceful environment.

• The following scenes are known as "belly dance". The character of Rangda appears to be wreaking havoc. She cast a dark spell on the male dancers, who represent Airlangga soldiers, and ask them to commit suicide. In ecstasy, these men stabbed themselves on the chest with their own Chris. Meanwhile, Barong and the priest throw magic at these men, making them vulnerable to sharp things.

• The dance ends with the final battle between Parong and Rangda, ending with Barong's victory over Rangda. Escaped Rangda, is the evil vanquished and restore the celestial order.

Variations

Lion Barong is one of the five traditional barongs. In Bali, every area of the island enjoys a spirit of protection for its forests and lands. Each parong is designed for each area on a different animal. They are:

1. Barong Ket: lion barong, the most common barong, is a symbol of good soul.

2. Barong Landung: giant barong, the shape looks like Betawi Ondel-ondel

3. Barong Sealing: Pig barong

4. Parong McCann: Tiger Barong

5. Barong Naga: Dragon (or snake) Parong

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

indo.com (2001). "The Barong Dance of Bali". indo.com. Retrieved 2012-01-17.

[2]:

“Tari Barong" (in Indonesian). Kebudayaan Indonesia. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2015.

[3]:

"Barong ket (banaspati rajah)". MASCASIA. MASCASIA. Retrieved 29 April 2013.

[4]:

Lansing, J. Stephen (1995). The Balinese. San Diego: Harcourt Brace College Publishers. ISBN 978-0-15-500240-1.