Legong Dance from Bali

Legong (Balinese: légong) is a form of Balinese dance. It is a refined dance form characterized by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and expressive gestures and facial expressions.

Legong probably originated in the 19th century as royal entertainment. Legend has it that a prince of Sukawati fell ill and had a vivid dream in which two maidens danced to gamelan music. When he recovered, he arranged for such dances to be performed in reality. Others believe that the Legong originated with the sanghyang dedari, a ceremony involving voluntary possession of two little girls by beneficent spirits.[1] Legong is also danced at public festivals. Excerpts from Legong dance dramas are put on for tourists

Classical Legong enacts several traditional stories. The most common is the tale of the East Javanese king of Lasem from the Malat, a collection of heroic romances. He is at war with another king, the father (or brother) of Princess Rangkesari. Lasem wants to marry the girl, but she detests him and tries to run away. Becoming lost in the forest, she is captured by Lasem, who imprisons her and goes out for a final assault against her family. He is attacked by a monstrous raven, which foretells his death.

The dramatics are enacted in elaborate and stylized pantomime. The two little actresses are accompanied by a third dancer called a condong or attendant. She sets the scene, presents the dancers with their fans and later plays the part of the raven.

it is a pride and honor for me because I can learn, memorize and perform the legong dance. I am not from Bali, I am not Hindu but I enjoy learning traditional Balinese dance. I am Indonesian, I am Christian but I respect every culture and religion in my country.

I am truly proud as an Indonesian who is able to master the legong dance. It is not easy to learn this but because it comes from the heart I find it easy to learn it.

I hope the legong dance will be known by more people. and I will be even prouder if one day I can bring this dance abroad.

source: wikipedia