Kecak dancing Bali, Indonesia
Bali is an island located in southern Indonesia.
While a popular tourist destination, Bali has held on to much of its traditional Hindu culture, which can be seen in the temples, festivals, and art throughout the island.
As Bali gained notoriety throughout the second part of the 21st century, more tourists visited the island and workers from Java began migrating south to Bali for work. This, along with more outside investment has began changing the demographics of the island. With a population of approximately 4.2 million people, the island is home to most of Indonesia's Hindu minority. According to the 2010 Census, 83.5% of Bali's population adhered to Balinese Hinduism, followed by 13.4% Muslim, Christianity at 2.5%, and Buddhism 0.5%. (Wikipedia).
The most famous musical drama in Bali is Kecak, also known as the Ramayana Monkey Chant. This tradition has continued since the 1930's and has a popular tourist attraction.
This is a reenactment of part of the Ramayana in which, usually, men sit in a circle around a fire wearing checkered cloth (sarongs) around their waists. They chant "cak" in different pitches, moving their hands and arms at varying speeds to build tension, as dancers act out a battle in which the monkey-like Vanara helped Prince Rama fight the evil King Ravana.
Kecak was originally a sacred Balinese dance called Sanghyang Dedari, the purpose of which was to exorcise demons. Sanghyang dedari is a dance performed by pre-pubescent girls. Often the girls are carried on the shoulders of men, and trance is associated with this ritual. Sanghyang jaran is a dance performed by boys who ride coconut hobbyhorses (Kuda Lumping) in and around a fire (this is often done at the end of the Kecak dance as well). Trance is also associated with this ritual.