Albert Herdianto Widjojo
After the day’s work is done, my activities this afternoon are visiting someplace that sale Balinese souvenir.
The special thing that always catches my attention is Balinese Barong mask.
The shape of these masks is very diverse and has many meanings and intentions. Quite a lot of people outside Bali who are afraid just to see this mask let alone to buy and put it at home.
Barong Bali is one of Bali’s many performing arts scene. Barong is a traditional Balinese dance that is marked by Mask and body costumes that can be worn by one or two people to dance it. Barong Bali believed to be a metamorphosis of barong Ponorogo or Reog, by the king of Airlangga (founder of Kahuripan Kingdom in East Java, who reigned on 1009-1042 with the title of Abhiseka Sri Maharaja Rakai Halu Sri Dharmawangsa Airlangga Anantawikramottunggadewa) while fleeing to the island of Bali to save themselves one time. in addition to barong Ponorogo brought to Bali, but also like literary arts, Javanese script, and religious. In the development of barong Ponorogo, the mask has had changed its form and story according to adjust the condition of society in Bali that is devoted to spiritual activities.
The influence that can be on the barong Bali can be viewed on the form barong Ponorogo when appearing without the crown of peacock or Kucingan (The mask with a very large size weighing about 30 kilograms and can reach 60 kg with a peacock crown) and on the Rangda (Queen of Leak in Balinese mythology) mask who get the influence of mask Bujang Ganong (mask dance from Ponorogo). As well as groups of people who explore the secret of spiritual power on parents who got an influence on the behavior of real activities young warok (dancer in the art of reog) and old warok with powerful magic (we call it sakti mandraguna) that is currently still awake in Ponorogo – East Java, although the activity is currently closed to certain circles.
If you would like to join in and challenge yourself to a photo a day, here are the rules and guidelines.
What an interesting mask and story. I learned a little from it as well. : D
Thank you, Kim. Barong is a symbol of good power against Leak’s evil forces.
You know what amazed me the first time I set foot in Bali? The airport. No other airport has those eloquent wall designs — it seems to transport you to a completely different place. In most cases, airports are like a melting pot coz you see a lot of people from different races but those walls are kinda like a reminder that you are really in Bali. Understand what I am saying? Haha
Of course, I understand your point, Harping. For me or for those who understand, Balinese people are people who do art as a lifestyle, with or without realizing it. Many things in life done or made by Balinese are artistic rituals or something for rituals. I am pleased that later after the renovation in 2012-2013, Ngurah Rai Airport has managed to deliver it.
Good because sometimes I tend to shortcut my expression of my thoughts hahaha I am worse when I’m talking and people tend to misunderstood me especially when I talk with a certain tone when in fact I am only joking
I am always happy to be in a dark place but always find light in it. I am happy to see a bright place but always find a dark shadow in it. Hehe…
To see light while in the dark, I agree. But according to Helen Keller, we must keep our face towards the sun so as not to see any shadow haha so that is my reply to your dark shadow in bright place lol
I’m not sure if someone will not be blind because keeps looking at the sun, besides the sun does not appear all day. U’uyy…
Hahahaha actually I expected that rebuttal ???? maybe it does not appear all day in the sky but it reflects its light over the moon and over my soul. What say you my friend? ??? Blind? We are already blind as humans. A blind cannot be blinded anymore. ?
We as humans are indeed blind, but many of our parts are not feel blind; our ego, our arrogance, self-conception, etc. so it seems we can be blind many times. Hey… Thanks a lot for this discussion!
If one can be blind many times then one can also die many times lol. Under human legal law though it is called double jeopardy. I got now in the habit of observing myself — how I act/react when I am exposed to many people. I noticed I still have remnants of being a despicable one haha
You know what amazed me the first time I set foot in Bali? The airport. No other airport has those eloquent wall designs — it seems to transport you to a completely different place. In most cases, airports is like a melting pot coz you see a lot of people from different races but those walls are kinda like a reminder that you are really in Bali. Understand what I am saying? Haha
…and thanks a lot for your appreciation.
Thanks a lot, my friend. Are you willing to wear it?
I guess so… Hahaha…
Its kind of cool and scary at the same time …
But i kinda love it
Thanks, I think you better love it, my friend… Hehe….
I love the mask, it is so cool looking. I have a thing for dragons.
Thanks, Brenda. If you love a mask like this, and also like a dragon, then you must be a close person to the universe and understand the Divine energy or practitioner and a spiritualist.
I can only imagine how much time goes into creating a mask like that, really impressive.
The people of Bali are very close to artistic and philosophical sacred art and rituals. For Balinese craftsmen, to make such masks only takes a few days. Thanks for your appreciation, Adel
That is cool looking! Wow is how to express it the right way lol
Thanks a lot, LaJenna. The Balinese Hindu community is deeply respectful of life in all its plains, they are also very aware of these unseen things and this mask with Rangda often becomes an important part for the arts and rituals to communicate with the occult as well as to avoid certain epidemics.
This reminds me of a post I did of Rangda & Barong back in the day…
Oh really? Have you ever posted Rangda & Barong? Unfortunately, I haven’t seen it, it has been so long maybe?
seven months back
https://virily.com/art/wip-rangda-barong/
I love that works! Cool!
Yet another unfinished piece. I should give Rangda white hair anyway…
I am sure you have done enough research for the work
not really, but in most Asian cultures witches and other supernatural beings have white hair
Good point. Even I who “feel close” to the supernatural culture, occultism, or mystic still try to deepen understanding of Rangda as a figure, especially in relation to the South Sea of Java and Bali.
Then I shall defer to your judgment, my good man. What color hair should she have? What color is traditional?
Oh, White long hair does not matter at all because it is generally depicted so in the form of the mask on the art of dance but also can be red purplish (as depicted in the statue of Rangda at Ngurah Rai airport – Bali). Rangda in its native language is from the Java language; Randa or widow, which has been refined and today the word rarely used to mention a widow. This may have something to do with the popular bullying in the general environment that purple is the color of the widow. My apology if I can not give more consideration because the my “study” is more on the essence of the spirit and its relation to other supernatural beings than to its appearance.
I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me. Of course I need to understand the essence of what I want to depict but since I am a representational artist, I must pay close attention to appearance as well
Of course! Pay attention is a fundamental thing that is very important for you to do.
Fortunately, I am the sort that enjoys details and minutia…
The mask is beautiful but at the same time scary
Yes, Vidock, many people think so. Thanks
Yeah, that mask could give someone a nightmare. But is both beautiful and scary. Nice post.
Two stories from the same piece, John? Yep, you’re right. Thanks a lot
I enjoyed reading your article and seeing the mask Albert. Great photo and article.
Hello Keneth, how are you? Thanks a lot for the visit and your kind appreciation, my friend
LOL suffering through lung and sinus infections after a flu. But still working a posting. Reading your working and that of others. Appreciating your hard work.
Ah… your health isn’t good enough and has made you uncomfortable, and still kind enough to appreciate the work of others, you are a really amazing friend! Thank youuuu… Wish you get well soon, Ken!
Appreciating others work makes enduring this easier my friend. Peace to you and yours my friend.
It’s evening for me. Hello dear friend of mine. I could not visit you earlier because of a health problem. Not here now, I’m here to tell you. This is an incredible mask with an ancient story.
I just found out your condition after visiting your post, my friend. I hope you get better soon! Thanks for taking the time to give appreciation. Take a good rest, my friend.
Wow that is such a cool mask! Love the detail Albert and thanks for sharing!
Thaks, Carol. It is a mask as a decoration in its simplest form.
l really like the look, well designed.
Well, I really want to buy it but my eldest daughter would disagree if I put it at home as decoration because it’s scary for her even though as an indigo child, she always sees that kind of thing.
I can see where it would scare some people.
And we can understand it, right? Hehe…
Although once you get used to it, it would go unnoticed. It is kind of scary at first though…
You are right, TZ. If we are already accustomed, we tend not to notice it anymore but to become accustomed at first is a hard homework for people who are afraid. Thanks for the comment.