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//**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.**//

Within Balinese society masks are used to bring balance, to worship, to bless important life events, and to preserve their community and history.

Topeng performances in Bali are sponsored by communities or wealthier citizens to celebrate and request blessings of ancestors by enacting stories of the past (Performance in Bali, Rubin & Sedana). The Warrior, the Minister, and the Old Man are full face masks performed as dance roles at the opening of all Topeng performances (Performance in Bali, Rubin & Sedana). They begin the performance and are the start of the ritualized structure that defines Topeng. Two storytellers provide the bulk of the narrative, first the Old Storyteller as ritual with recitations from ancient and holy texts, and then the Young Storyteller in language more accessible to the audience. The performance includes bondres characters, comic personalities that comment on the story and provide a further link to the audience. The performance is always closed by the Sidha Karya mask who performs the ritual offerings and brings closure and balance to the performance (Performance in Bail, Rubin & Sedana).

In the Calonarang, balance and the expulsion of violent and destructive impulses is the most important aspect of the ritual. The Calonarang masks allow the two main performers to become the Witch Rangda and the Good Demon Barong Ket, providing balance and direction to the other men participating in the ritual who go into trance and enact battles between the Leykax, followers of Rangda, and the Barong in order to expel their darker natures. The performances end in a draw, restoring balance spiritually and physically to the performers and the community (Film, Mask of Rangda 2/15).

In Bali, masks in performance are part of religious ritual bringing blessings, peace, and balance to the lives of the Balinese community.

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