The Mythological Creature
Mythology of Java and Bali (Barongan)

Barongan[1] or Barong, is a figure in Balinese and Javanese mythology. His appearance is depicted in various guises like that of an animal, and the most famous and revered of them all is the figure of a four-legged or two-legged creature with the head of a lion, as the leader of the army of good, he fought against the demon queen, Rangda. This mythological storyline is the basis of ritual costume dance, which is very popular among the Balinese and the inhabitants of some areas of Java.

₍ Barongan in Indonesia ₎

The figure of Barongan began to be known in Bali and in the eastern part of Java at a time when most of the population on these islands still adhered to animist beliefs. As evidence of the animistic roots of this Barongan figure, the researchers consider the etymological term of its name, which is associated with the word Bear in Old Balinese and Kawi language ("bakhruang", "baruang"[a]), as well as his figure similar to that of an animal. In a myth that developed among the inhabitants of various regions in Bali and Java, Barongan is described as a two-legged or four-legged creature with a head figure similar to various types of animals —seekor bear, a bear, boar, dog, buffalo, elephant, or tiger— although more often depicted with the head of a lion, which in various myths is described as "king of the forest". According to one legend, Barongan originally had the face of a normal person, but was later turned into the head of an animal by a forest fairy in retaliation for his sexual abuse.[2][3]

Barongan is the main character in the Javanese-Bali legend, as an embodiment of the values of goodness and justice. She leads the good forces in a relentless battle against the evil forces of —the demon forces— led by a figure they call "mother", demon queen Rangda, and the, she is described as an ugly old woman with protruding eyes and long fangs. The confrontation between Barongan and Rangda is one of the main storylines in a local mythological epic, which accidentally has a relationship with a completely real character, who, the ruler of Bali-Java in the 11th century, Airlangga. In the decisive battle with Rangda, Barongan entered at Airlangga's request. Airlangga himself, had previously defeated a swarm of demons, and turned the remnants of his army into brutal allies. Rangda, with the help of black magic, with the help of, drowning the soldiers who accompanied Barong and made them possessed to commit mass suicide —ia controlled the soldiers of Barongan to thrust a dagger into their own chest— but was thwarted by Barongan, who also mastered black magic, made his men become immune and in the end they managed to defeat the demon queen Rangda.[4][5][6][7]

❲ Type of barongan ❳

The types of goods found in Indonesia, including:

Barong Bali, from Bali Barongan Dencong, from Jepara Ondel-Ondel,

Jakarta

Badawang, the Sundanese tradition of West Java

Burokan, Buraq from Cirebon

Bebegig Sumantri, from Ciamis

Barongan Singo Karya, from Demak

Barongan Gembong Amijoyo, from Blora

Barongan Gembong Kamijoyo, from Kudus

Barong Loreng Gonteng, from Kendal

Warak ngendok, from Semarang

Barong Gondorio, from Grobogan

Barong Kemiren, from Banyuwangi

Barongan Juwangi, from Boyolali

Hudoq, from East Kalimantan

Reog Ponorogo, from Ponorogo

Reog Banjarharjo, from Brebes

Reog Kendang, from Tulungagung

Barongan Juwangi, from Boyolali

Singo Ulung, from Bondowoso

╭╯In popular culture╰╮

The figure of Barongan is very famous in Balinese culture, as well as among Javanese. For the Balinese people, as well as for those living in Central and East Java, he is depicted as a patron of the people, an exemplary suri, a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Engraving or sculptural images from Barongan — which sometimes have quite impressive sizes— are often placed on walls, entrances of houses, or public institutions as guardians against evil forces.[2][7]

The Battle of Barongan with Rangda was the main subject in a popular dance in the theatre called "barong dance" or "barongan".[b] Those who act as Barongan will use colorful attributes made from wood, cloth, fur, coconut leaves and other materials, he said, usually driven by two dancers from under —one of them controls the Barongan mask (in most areas of Bali, Central Java, and East Java; this mask has a muzzle in the form of a lion with a thick mane and beard, but some areas use different animals), while others will control Barongan's body. Spinning around in a fast dance, the cast of Barongan and Rangda take turns stomping on each other surrounded by dancers likened to Airlangga soldiers, while the others, while the others, are, armed with a keris to describe a suicide attempt. The performance is usually accompanied by a gamelan game.[2][3][5] In December 2015, the Barongan dance, along with eight other Balinese folk dances were included in the introduction of the Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO.[8][9]

In the beginning, pure Barongan dances were a ritual of character: in Bali, Barongan and Rangda masks were traditionally kept in Hindu temples, their use preceded by various mystical rites. However, over time, it has largely become an entertainment event and is now systematically included in the program of various cultural festivals and is actively popularized as a tourist attraction, although the preparation is usually still accompanied by certain rituals. In addition, masks and various images from Barongan —, such as T-shirt—, are commonly known in Bali as souvenirs for tourists.[10][11] Barongan is also an object in the game Digimon, which has a character named Baromon (or Baronmon) named after Barongan Bali. Persona 3 can call Persona Barong. Persona 4 and 5 can do the same.[12].

╰╮ Reference╭╯

a .^ In modern Indonesian, this word sounds like "bear" (in Indonesian: bear.

B. The word Barongan also refers to the costume of Barong which is an important attribute of this dance.

Footnotes

The Great Dictionary of Russian-Indonesian Languages 1990, p. 90.

Pogadaev 2012, p. 95.

Slattum 2013, p. 99.

Pogadaev 2012, p. 95-5455555555555555555555.

^ a b " ⁇ idikan ⁇ idikan" (in Russian). Retrieved 7 October 2016.

^ "Barong" (in English). Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Retrieved 5 October 2016.

^ a b " ⁇ — ⁇ х ⁇ " (in Russian). . Retrieved 5 October 2016.

^ "Three genres of traditional dance in Bali" (in English). UNESCO. Retrieved 10 October 2016.

Ni Komang Erviani (4 December 2015). "9 Balinese dances make UNESCO heritage list" (in English). The Jakarta Post's. Retrieved 10 October 2016.

Picard 2006, p. 241.

Wahyu Setyo (23 October 2015). "Sahadewa, Barong Dance Performance Stage in Bali". Seconds. Retrieved 7 October 2016.

^ "Eternal Design, T-Shirt Motif Barong Still Have Market". Bali Business. September 20th, 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2016.

(Ciee long time ago did not meet in "the mythological creature")