Keris - The Unique Dagger from Indonesia

Wohow.... don't get it wrong. Keris has no any connection with Korea Education and Research Information Service (KERIS). We are talking about a very different kind of things. Keris that I mention here is an asymmetrical dagger from Indonesia. There are two kind of keris : wavy and straight shape. Keris is considered as weapon and spiritual object as well. Keris sometimes also considered  to have an essence of presence with some blades possessing good luck and some other bad luck.

UNESCO has given the title of Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (2005) to Keris.

In the past - especially in Java culture - every man own a Keris in their home. Some people worn it on a daily basis, especially when traveling and will use in case for their own protection and self-defense. Some people believe that Keris must be treated very carefully. That's why most people will do cleaning ceremonial and ritual for their Keris. The ritual is the part of spirituality and mythology surrounding the weapon.

Not many people can make Keris. Only the chosen metalworkers called Empu have authority and ability to craft and make it. In Bali, this ocupation was the preserve of the clan of Pande. For this reason, Keris are considered almost alive because they may be vessels of spirits (either good or evil). Keris can move of their own volition and killed individuals at will. Some rumored said that some people also can control Keris and make it stand upright when their named are called. People believed some Keris helped prevent fires, death, agricultural failure, and other probles. They could also bring fortune like treasure and bountiful harvests.

Because Keris are considered sacred and believed to possess magical powers, specific rites needed to be completed to avoid colling down evil fates which is the reason warriors often made offering to their Keris at a shrine.

Barong - The Sacred Dance from Bali

Another famous dance that you are going to see a lot in Bali is The Barong Dance. The dance is a story telling dance, about the fight between good and evil. Barong itself is the king of the spirits, leader of the hosts of good and the protective spirit for forests and lands. Each region of Bali island has their own barong, and usually modeled after animals, such as Dragon, Tiger, Boar, Serpent, and others. The most popular barong is Lion Barong, that often used for the performing arts. Barong is often portraited with two monkeys.

The Barong Dance tells the story about Rangda, the mother of Erlangga, King of Bali in the tenth century. The myth said that Rangda had practiced black magic, in which made Erlangga's father upset and condemned her. The furious Rangda summoned all evil spirits in the jungles to come after Erlangga. Because of the power of Rangda was too strong, Erlangga lost the fight and almost lost his life. He asked for the help of Barong. With Erlangga's soldiers, Barong confronted Rangda and the fight resumed.

Rangga casted a spell that made Erlangga's soldiers suddenly want to committed suicide by stubbing their own stomach with keris (the traditional blade from Bali). Barong casted a spell that turned his body resistant to the sharp keris. Finally Barong won the fight.

To performed Barong Dance, each dancer has to have ability and power to control themselves. Because usually when they performed the suicide part, some said that there has a ery unexplained strong power that also involved in the dance. If the dancer is not strong enough to hold the power, they might get injured by their own keris.

The mask of barong and Rangda are the sacred items that not easily used. Before the dance started, a priest will held a blessing ritual by sprinkling the masks with holy mountain and asked for safety,


The Barong Dance usually played in Gianyar where Ubud is located.