Baris is a family of traditional war dances in Bali, Indonesia, accompanied by gamelan, in which dancers depict the feelings of a young warrior prior to battle, glorify the manhood of the triumphant Balinese warrior, and display the sublimity of his commanding presence. Baris derives its name from the wordbebarisan, which literally means "line" or "file formation", referring to the soldiers who served the ancient rajas of Bali.
Performance
There are two main types of baris dance which can be found throughout the island of Bali. The non-ritual dance is performed by a solomale dancer, and is often the first dance that a budding dancer learns. However, there are over thirty different types of ritual baris dances, each of which is performed by a group of people, still imitating the movements of the warrior.
''Baris tunggal''
A baris tunggal dancer, namely a baris dancer who performs on his own, is dressed in white leggings known as celana. Around his ankles are coverings, known as setewel, which reach halfway up his calves. The dancer wears a belt, reaching up on his body; inside this belt a keris is tucked near the shoulder. Around the dancer's torso is a collection of fabric panels, known as awiran, which hang from his body. Another panel, larger, is fixed to his chest. Around his neck he wears a circular collar known as a badong; this collar may or may not be decorated with beads. The costume is completed with a triangular headdress made of shells on springs, which shake during the performance. ; photo by Isidore van Kinsbergen At first, as he takes the stage, the dancer's movements are studied and careful, as if he were seeking out foes in an unfamiliar place. When he reaches the middle of the stage, hesitation gives way to self-assurance. He rises on his toes to his full stature, his body motionless with quivering limbs, he whirls on one leg, his feet tread the ground to the tumult of the gamelan, and his face renders the storm of passions of a quick-tempered warrior.
Group dances
There are a variety of group formats for the baris dance, including baris gde, baris keris, baris omang, baris perisi, and baris dadap. These dances are accompanied by different types of music and involve different movements. Dancers may carry a variety of weapons, including a kris, a spear, a bow, or other weapons; often dances are named after the weapons carried. The performances may or may not attempt to convey a story. All, however, are considered sacral, and used for religious ceremonies and events. Among these dances is the baris demang, which dates back to the 19th century. In such a dance, dancers wear costumes similar to those worn by the demang in gambuh performances and carry wooden knives. This dance is usually performed during the Pemayun ritual. In baris biasa, dancers are armed with spears. Such dances are generally brief, and involve a form of playfighting known as masesraman, in which the wooden spears are knocked against each other. Dancers do not wear special costumes; they are only garbed in normal headgear and cloth. The baris biasa dance is generally performed in the morning, following temple activities. Other versions include baris panah, baris presi, and baris dadap. Baris presi is common throughout northern and southern Bali. Baris dadap, however, was limited in range by the 1980s. Dancers are not accompanied by an orchestra, but sing songs regarding wayang during performances; this dance is generally performed during cremation ceremonies or temple festivals.
