HHBali

The masks you have seen from Bali fall into two categories, those that are employed for the Topeng and those used for ritual and religious performances in which a Rangda and a Barong Ket mask are used. Besides having an entertainment value for those who watch the characters they depict in action, they also serve a practical purpose to the Balinese. Discuss some of the masks and the characters they depict and the way they are employed to serve ritual and religious purposes in Balinese society. Balinese people believe in a world of cooperation with the powers that sustain life. They foster the spirit of cooperation of life through ritualistic performances of the Topeng and with the masks of Rangda and Barong Ket. Performances depict the constant struggles between good and evil (1).

Topeng Pajegan is a one-man performance representing the dynamic use of the most popular form of Balinese mask. It illustrates the cycle of existence with different characters played for birth, life, and death (2). “The most sacred part of the Topeng performance is with the mask of Sidhakarya, which always appears as the last character” (3). The ritualistic mask of Sidhakarya depicts the face of a dead man but yet, still has a smile. He is a combination of good and evil who plays the important final role of the show to restore harmony (4).

Rangda and Barong Ket also represent the balance between good and evil. Their masks are used in performances for celebration and also for exorcisms of bad things happening. Strong-willed men must play Rangda; her character is a witch who represents the hidden monster in everyone (1). Barong Ket is also a demon but is on the side of humanity to protect and serve. The mask of Barong Ket is most important because of its role as guardian to villages. Its beard is even dipped in holy water to show how it symbolizes humanity even though it contains both good and evil (5).

Having constant balance and cooperation between good and evil is essential to the Balinese way of life. They use different types of performances to keep that balance and also to serve the ritualistic and religious aspects.

Word count: 274


 * 1) Film: Bali Mask of Rangda
 * 2) Rubin, Sedana. //Performance in Bali,// p. 105
 * 3) Rubin, Sedana. //Performance in Bali,// p.108
 * 4) Richmond lecture. 2/2/2012
 * 5) Richmond lecture. 2/17/2012