[postlink]http://baliovguide.blogspot.com/2011/08/barong-dance.html[/postlink]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEKIcrnExekendofvid [starttext]This is a story-telling dance, relating a classic tale of the fight between good and evil. Barong represents the good spirit and Rangda, the evil spirit.

The story goes that Rangda, the mother of Erlangga, the King of Bali in the tenth century, was condemned by Erlangga's father because she practiced black magic. Resentment causes the mad widow to summon all the evil spirits, demon, and to come after Erlangga. Erlangga asks for help from Barong, a creature with a curved tail (representing the affirmative), the protector of mankind, and the spirit associated with white magic. When Barong intervenes, Rangda casts a spell that makes Erlangga's soldiers try to kill themselves, pointing their poisoned kris' into their own chests and stomachs. Barong also casts a spell -- turning the soldiers' bodies resistant to the sharp kris. How does it end? You'll have to go see!

The Barong and Rangda Mask are considered to be sacred items. Before they perform, the priest bless them by sprinkling them with holy water.[endtext]