Kecak dance which is well-known as Balinese Fire Dance or Monkey Chant Dance is one of the Balinese dances that you shouldn’t miss while you’re in Bali. Have you heard about this one? An amazing dance performance that uses no music instrumental during the performances that differ it from the other Balinese dances. Here is all about the Kecak dance performance in Bali.
What is Kecak Dance?
Kecak dance is a Balinese traditional art of dance-drama that narrates the story of Ramayana epic. Many male dancers perform this dance drama art form. It highlights the art of movement and the art of sound (chants) without any instrumental music. It is what distinguishes this dance from other Balinese dances and attracts tourists to come to Bali over and over again. The sound of ornaments on the dancer’s feet exclusively generates the music for this dramatic dance.
The History of Kecak Bali
The Kecak dance was created in the 1930s by a Balinese artist named Wayan Limbak and a German painter named Walter spies. The Kecak Bali was inspired by the Sanghyang dance. The Sanghyang dance is a sacred Balinese dance performed in Hindu temples to ward off evil spirits and illnesses. Originally, more than 50 men performed the Kecak dance exclusively. The improvement of this dance depicts the Ramayana epic which is now known as drama dance.
The name “Kecak” dance derives from the repetitive chant of “Cak… cak… cak…” that accompanies the dance performance. Originally, specific regions like Bona village in Gianyar Regency were the exclusive domains of Kecak performances. Over time, it has become a widespread tradition across Bali, particularly during special events and as a welcoming gesture for guests. Today, you can witness this dance drama being presented all across Bali, with a particular emphasis on cultural destinations.
The Kecak Dance Performance
The Kecak dance performance starts by burning incense on the stage. Then the bare-chested male dancers enter the stage while singing “Cak… cak… cak…” and form a circular line and then sit cross-legged. While chanting the word “Cak”, their hands move up and down, left and right while shaking it. Sometimes they sing while moving their head and shoulders. In certain scenes, while sitting, they drop their bodies backward.
Then the dancers who figure the characters in the Ramayana epic like Rama, Shinta, Lakshamana, Hanoman, and Sugriwa, enter the stage one by one. They play the role in the middle of a circle made by the shirtless male dancers. The drama starts when prince Rama hunts the jungle with his wife, Shinta, and his brother, Lakshmana. Then Rahwana comes to kidnap Shinta and hold her in his palace. Rama seeks help and delegates Lakshmana to meet Sugriwa, the king of the monkey kingdom. Then Sugriwa sends a white monkey named Hanoman to rescue Shinta.
The performance reaches its peak excitement when Rahwana’s troops capture Hanoman and put him at the center of a fiery circle, with the intention of burning him alive. Instead of dying, Hanoman breaks out the fire and gets out to burn the Rahwana’s palace, Alengka Pura.
Anyway, if you watch the Kecak show in tourist destinations, mostly at the beginning of the performance, there will be a narrator who explains about the Kecak dance both in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
Where to See the Kecak Dance?
It is easy to find a place to see the Kecak show in Bali like Kecak dance in Ubud, Kecak dance in Uluwatu temple, and the other places around Bali. If you are in Ubud, there are two popular places to see it. Named Pura Dalem Taman Kaja in Taman Kaja village and Padang Tegal Kaja. You can also see it in other places around Ubud.
But before you go to the place, make sure to check the schedule of the Kecak dance performance. If you stay in Ubud Villas Rental. by Red Lotus Property. You can ask the villa’s team to check the schedule, drive and accompany you to watch it.
source: https://www.ubudvillasrental.com/kecak-dance-and-everything-you-should-know/