Joged Bungbung

Share When there is a celebration in a hamlet meeting hall or house compound, joged bungbung is one of few sought after social dances that is used to entertain audience and bring more festivity to the celebration. The name joged bungbung derives from the word joged that means “dance” – joged bungbung dancer is also called joged – and the word bungbung refers to a length of hollow bamboo. Unlike the bronze-keyed, xylophone – like instrument of musical group that accompany most of the performance, the keys of this ensemble are turned length of the bamboo, struck with rubber-covered mallet held in both hands. The music is very soft and mellow. One may hear it played by a soloist as background music at restaurant. But the joged bungbung group consists of half a dozen or more of these instrument, some very large bass xylophones, several of medium size, and tiny ones to ornament the melody. There are also drums and cymbal like ceng-cengs. Since it has no religious connection, joged is now popular lobby entertainment at many of the larger hotels.

The joged bungbung is usually staged at hamlet meeting hall or on a wide open space. It is usually held late in the evening until around midnight. The joged bungbung is always performed in a paid troupe. The five or six young female dancers (joged) dance at one time, each for perhaps 20 minutes. Costumes vary, but they almost feature a mass of fresh flowers tied in the hair. The joged is a sort of flirtation dance. After a brief solo, a dancer pulls a man out of the audience, put a sash around his waist, and makes him dance with her. The victim always makes a pretense of protest. However, almost Balinese men know the basic dance step and styles, and often the result is remarkably artistic duet.

Traditionally the male dancer makes passes at the joged, trying to poke her or grab her good-naturedly as she deftly parries the thrust. She may even pretend to beat the man with a small leafy brench that someone will toss into the arena. After the man tires, he thanks the joged, take off the sash, and the girl goes after another partner in the audience. Tourists are favorite targets if available. After three or four pairings, the joged retires and a second joged dancer takes her place.

Kecak Dance

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The Kecak dance is one of the most famous of Balinese dances. It is unusual because it has no musical accompaniment like many other Indonesian dances do, the rhythm of the dance is produced by the chanting 'monkey' chorus. Instead, a troupe of over 150 bare-chested men serve as the chorus, making a wondrous cacophony of synchronized "chak-achak-achak" clicking sounds while swaying their bodies and waving their hands .From that chanting noise of "Cak-cak-cak", then it gave the dance its name Kecak.

What makes the Kecak such a fascinating dance to watch are the fifty or so men in the checkered pants. They are both the choir and the props, providing the music for the story in a series of constant vocal chants that change with the mood of the actors. They don't sit still, either, they wave their arms to simulate fire, and reposition themselves around the stage to represent wind and fire, prison cells, and unseen hand of protection from the gods.

The dance is played in five acts and lasts roughly 45 minutes. It taken from the Hindu epic Ramayana, which tells the story of Prince Rama and his rescue of Princess Sita, who has been kidnapped by the evil King of Lanka, Rahwana and somehow with the help of the white monkey army, Rama rescues his wife and defeats the evil Rahwana.

Attending a Kecak recital is a must for any visitor to Bali. It is a wondrous experience, and a window into the musical and artistic culture that make the Balinese a special people.