Bali’s Most Famous Cultural Dances Must Be A Top Priority On Tourists’ Itineraries 

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Bali’s rich cultural heritage is one of the top reasons the island continues to welcome millions of tourists each year.

Cultural heritage can be found everywhere in Bali —from temples and palaces to rice paddies and beaches— but it is in the island’s dance culture that ancient stories come to life. 

There are dozens of different kinds of Balinese dance, but three very special dances that all visitors to Bali should try to see during their time on the island. These are the Kecak, the Barong, and the Legong.

Together, these are the three most commonly performed and culturally important dances in Bali. Tourists who have the chance to watch one or more of these performances during a vacation in Bali always come away utterly spellbound and with a deeper respect for the island’s culture and artistry. 

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Perhaps the most famous of the Balinese traditional cultural dances is the kecak. In fact, it’s not actually that traditional! Created less than 100 years ago, the kecak as we know it today was developed by Balinese artist Wayan Limbak and German painter and anthropologist Walter Spies.

The fiery kecak dance as we know it today was intentionally created by Limbak and Spies to help create a cultural performance that could be shared with international tourists.

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With so many of Bali’s traditional trance rituals, ritual dances, and ceremonies only for worshippers, such as the Sanghyang, Limbak, and Spies, they wanted to create a version of the cultural practice that would be better understood by international tourists, and to protect the sacred trance rituals from the outside world. 

The performance tells the story of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. It is a story of the triumph of good over evil, and follows Prince Rama’s mission to rescue his beloved wife, Sita, from the clutches of King Ravana.

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At its fullest, the performance includes 150 dancers, all men, who are the chorus of Rama’s monkey army. Their chants of ‘cak-cak-cak’ are accompanied by movements of the hands and arms while the battle to save Sita plays out.

The most magical part of the performance is when Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, kicks fire without getting burned; a powerful symbol of the triumph of good over evil. 

The most famous kecak performance is held every night at the amphitheater at Uluwatu Temple, though performances can also be attended at Pandawa Beach and Tanah Lot Temple. Many hotels and resorts will also regularly host their own kecak performances. 

The next most famous Balinese cultural dance is the Barong. The Barong is a symbol tourists will see throughout their time in Bali and, once again, represents the endless battle between good and evil.

The Barong is a mythical, lion-like creature that serves as a benevolent protector of humanity. If the Barong comes knocking at your door ahead of Balinese ceremonies and holy days, this is a perfect sign indeed.

The Barong dance is theatrical, and tells the story of the Barong’s battle against his arch nemesis, Rangda. The Barong is typically performed at the Ubud Water Palace almost every evening. Tickets can be booked on the night. Again, many hotels and resorts will host their own Barong performances on special occasions or as part of their cultural programming. 

The final must-see Balinese cultural dance is the Legong. Performed a little less regularly than the kecak, the Legong’s full name is the Legong Kraton, or the Dance of the Royal Palace. The dance is usually performed by two or three young girls, and is characterized by its staccato movements and intense eye gestures. Those wishing to dive a little deeper into Balinese culture can book a dance class during their visit to the island, where choreography from the Legong is often the starting point.