Legong ( Balinese: , ''légong'') is a form of Balinese

dance Dance is an The arts, art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often Symbol, symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...

. It is a refined dance form characterized by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and expressive gestures and facial expressions.

Origins

Legong probably originated in the 19th century as royal entertainment. Legend has it that a prince of Sukawati fell ill and had a vivid dream in which two maidens danced to

gamelan Gamelan (; ; , ; ) is the traditional musical ensemble, ensemble music of the Javanese people, Javanese, Sundanese people, Sundanese, and Balinese people, Balinese peoples of Indonesia, made up predominantly of percussion instrument, per ...

music. When he recovered, he arranged for such dances to be performed in reality. Others believe that the Legong originated with the ''

sanghyang () is a traditional sacred Balinese dance originated from the Indonesian island of Bali. It is based on the premise that an unseen force enters the body of an entranced performer. The force, identified as '' hyang'', is an important type of ...

dedari'', a ceremony involving voluntary possession of two little girls by beneficent spirits. Legong is also danced at public festivals. Excerpts from Legong dance dramas are put on for tourists.

Dancers

COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Legong danseressen Saba TMnr 60030392

Traditionally, legong dancers were girls who had not yet reached puberty. They began rigorous training at about the age of five. These dancers were regarded highly in the society and usually became wives of royal personages or wealthy merchants. They would usually stop dancing after marriage. However, in present, Indonesia dancers may be of all ages; performances by men in women's costumes are also recorded.

Story

Classical Legong enacts several traditional stories. The most common is the tale of the East Javanese king of Lasem from the ''Malat,'' a collection of heroic romances. He is at war with another king, the father (or brother) of Princess Rangkesari. Lasem wants to marry the girl, but she detests him and tries to run away. Becoming lost in the forest, she is captured by Lasem, who imprisons her and goes out for a final assault against her family. He is attacked by a monstrous raven, which foretells his death. The dramatics are enacted in elaborate and stylized pantomime. The two little actresses are accompanied by a third dancer called a '' condong'' or attendant. She sets the scene, presents the dancers with their fans and later plays the part of the raven.

Types

Traditionally, fifteen types of ''legong'' dance were known. The duration, movement, and narrative of each type differed. Some, for instance, could last for an hour. These types included: * ''Legong Bapang Sabab'' * ''Legong Jebog'' * ''Legong Kraton'' * ''Legong Kuntir'' * ''Legong Lasem'' * ''Legong Raja Cina'' * ''Legong Semarandana'' * ''Legong Sudasarna''

Gallery

File:Barisan Penari Bali.jpg, Legong Dance performance File:Bali-Danse 0703a.jpg 90th anniversary of Ganjuran Church, Bantul, Yogyakarta, 2014-05-03 12.jpg Tari Legong Kuntul.jpg Dayu, oil on canvas, 80 x 100 cm, 2012.JPG Gerard Pieter Adolfs - 1944 Nr14 Lègong Bali OOC 80 60.JPG La balinese (Barong dancer).jpg Garuda Legong Dance - oil painting by Noella Roos.jpg Romualdo Locatelli - Legong Dancer.jpg

In popular culture

Legong is mentioned in "I've Been To Bali Too", the single by Australian folk-rock band Redgum from their 1984 album Frontline.

References

External links

Legong KeratonLegong danceTari Legong Lasem part 1
{{Authority control Balinese culture Dances of Bali