{{short description|Indonesian traditional dance}} {{for|the 1935 silent film|Legong (film)}} {{Infobox dance | name = {{lang|ban|Legong}} | native_name = {{langx|ban|ᬮᬾᬕᭀᬂ|légong}} | native_name_lang = ban | etymology = | image = 17 Years of Sekar Jepun 2014-11-01 03.jpg | alt = | caption = A [[Balinese people|Balinese]] adult performer of {{lang|ban|Legong Bapang Saba}} | genre = | signature = | instruments = {{lang|jv|[[Gamelan]]}} | inventor = [[Balinese people|Balinese]] | year = | origin = [[Indonesia]] }} {{Infobox intangible heritage | ICH= Three genres of traditional dance in Bali | State Party= Indonesia | ID= 00617 | Region= APA | Year= 2015 | Session= 10th | List= Representative | Note= ''Wali'' Sacred Dances ([[Rejang dance|Rejang]], [[Sanghyang|Sanghyang Dedari]], [[Baris (dance)|Baris Upacara]]), ''Bebali'' Semi sacred Dances ([[Topeng|Topeng Sidhakarya/Topeng Pajegan]], [[Gambuh|Gambuh dance drama]], [[Wayang wong|Wayang Wong dance drama]]), ''Balih-balihan'' Entertainment Dances (Legong Kraton, [[Joged|Joged Bumbung]], [[Barong (mythology)|Barong Ket]]) }} {{Dance drama of Southeast Asia}} '''Legong''' ([[Balinese script|Balinese]]: {{script|Bali|ᬮᬾᬕᭀᬂ}}, ''légong'') is a form of [[Balinese (people)|Balinese]] [[Balinese dance|dance]]. It is a refined dance form characterized by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and expressive gestures and facial expressions.
==Origins== 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 [[Spirit possession|possession]] of two little girls by beneficent spirits.<ref>Miguel Covarrubias, ''Island of Bali''. Knopf, 1946.</ref> Legong is also danced at public festivals. Excerpts from Legong dance dramas are put on for tourists.
==Dancers== [[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Legong danseressen Saba TMnr 60030392.jpg|260px|right|thumb| Two pre-adolescent girls performing Legong dance.]] Traditionally, legong dancers were girls who had not yet reached puberty. They began rigorous training at about the age of five. These dancers were regarded highly in the society and usually became wives of royal personages or wealthy merchants.<ref>[https://balinesedance.blogspot.com/ Dance and Drama], by Budi Anjarwani, page found 2010-07-30.</ref> They would usually stop dancing after marriage. However, in present, Indonesia dancers may be of all ages;<ref>{{cite news|title=Tari Legong Tak Mengenal Usia |trans-title=Legong Dance Knows No Age |language=Indonesian |url=http://lifestyle.okezone.com/read/2014/11/29/406/1072412/tari-legong-tak-mengenal-usia |date=29 November 2014 |work=Okezone.com |access-date=23 January 2016 |archive-date=30 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130040706/http://lifestyle.okezone.com/read/2014/11/29/406/1072412/tari-legong-tak-mengenal-usia |url-status=dead }}</ref> performances by men in women's costumes are also recorded.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jakun Tak Bisa 'Menipu', Tari Legong Ini Ternyata Ditarikan 6 Orang Pria |trans-title=They Can't Lie: This Legong Dance Is Performed by Six Men |url=http://bali.tribunnews.com/2015/06/20/jakun-tak-bisa-menipu-tari-legong-ini-ternyata-ditarikan-6-orang-pria |date=20 June 2015 |work=Tribun |access-date=23 January 2016 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305043045/http://bali.tribunnews.com/2015/06/20/jakun-tak-bisa-menipu-tari-legong-ini-ternyata-ditarikan-6-orang-pria |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Story== 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.
==Types== Traditionally, fifteen types of ''legong'' dance were known. The duration, movement, and narrative of each type differed. Some, for instance, could last for an hour. These types included:<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Balinese Legong: Revival or Decline? |last=Davies |first=Stephen |volume=23 |issue=2 |date=2006 |pages=314–341 |doi=10.1353/atj.2006.0018 |work=Asian Theatre Journal }}</ref> * ''Legong Bapang Sabab'' * ''Legong Jebog'' * ''Legong Kraton'' * ''Legong Kuntir'' * ''Legong Lasem'' * ''Legong Raja Cina'' * ''Legong Semarandana'' * ''Legong Sudasarna''
== Gallery == <gallery> File:Barisan Penari Bali.jpg|Legong Dance performance File:Bali-Danse 0703a.jpg 90th anniversary of Ganjuran Church, Bantul, Yogyakarta, 2014-05-03 12.jpg Tari Legong Kuntul.jpg Dayu, oil on canvas, 80 x 100 cm, 2012.JPG Gerard Pieter Adolfs - 1944 Nr14 Lègong Bali OOC 80 60.JPG La balinese (Barong dancer).jpg Garuda Legong Dance - oil painting by Noella Roos.jpg Romualdo Locatelli - Legong Dancer.jpg </gallery>
== See also == {{Portal|Indonesia}} *[[Balinese dances]] * [[Legong (film)|Legong: Dance of the Virgins]], a 1935 film * [[Dance of Indonesia]]
==In popular culture== Legong is mentioned in "I've Been To Bali Too", the single by Australian [[folk-rock]] band [[Redgum]] from their 1984 album [[Frontline (Redgum album)|Frontline]].
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20020625173430/http://www.balivision.com/Article_Resources/Legong.asp Legong Keraton] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpWxEXh5SOI Legong dance] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c11F8O6E93E Tari Legong Lasem part 1]
{{Dance in Bali}} {{Dance of Indonesia}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Culture of Bali]] [[Category:Dances of Bali]]