SPIRITUAL FUNCTIONS AND AXIOMATIC MEANINGS OF THE BARONG LANDUNG DANCE DRAMA IN BALI

I Nyoman, Cerita (2019) SPIRITUAL FUNCTIONS AND AXIOMATIC MEANINGS OF THE BARONG LANDUNG DANCE DRAMA IN BALI. ICTM 45th World Conference.

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Abstract

The Barong Landung dance drama is revered for its artistic and philosophical values as a Balinese religious sacred artform. Visually, Barong Landung is designed in the form of giant dolls/puppets that measure three-meters high and 80-cm wide. Typically parading as a pair, they are made in the form of a man and woman. Its existence is believed to have spiritual and supernatural powers, therefore, it has implicit and explicit functions and values for people to receive inward-born salvation and blessings. As a classical artform it is influenced by folk and high art cultural values representing the place where Barong Landung dance drama is created, lives, and develops. It has functions and meanings that do not serve merely as entertainment but also as an event that enacts spiritual guidance and social order. This study aims at identifying and understanding the functions and meanings of Barong Landung dance drama in the village of Singapadu in the regency of Gianyar. Its implications for having social and cultural impact is documented via interviews, observation, and documented and analyzed with critical theories from cultural studies.The results of the research show that the functions and meanings of this performance run along a continuum from magical/religious protection, to axiomatic solutions for healing. The dance drama may be commissioned as payment for avow, as a rain maker and even to ward of pestilence and disease. In this way, it is a performative artform that displays morals and virtues that have positive implications for nurturing its community.Through its artistic and philosophical values, it provides guidance, enlightenment in life. The symbols used in Barong Landung dance drama lead devotees to strive for unconditional love, wisdom, and gloriousness. It also honors spiritual values and maintains a harmonious life between humans, their environment, and the God /Ida Sang Hyang Widhi. Key words: dance drama, Barong Landung, functions, meaning, humanity

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