# Legong > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Legong > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Legong.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legong > Source revision: 1305874484 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Indonesian traditional dance For the 1935 silent film, see [Legong (film)](/source/Legong_(film)). Legong A Balinese adult performer of Legong Bapang Saba Native name Balinese: ᬮᬾᬕᭀᬂ, romanized: légong Instrument Gamelan Inventor Balinese Origin Indonesia Three genres of traditional dance in Bali UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Country Indonesia Reference 00617 Region Asia and the Pacific Inscription history Inscription 2015 (10th session) List Representative Wali Sacred Dances (Rejang, Sanghyang Dedari, Baris Upacara), Bebali Semi sacred Dances (Topeng Sidhakarya/Topeng Pajegan, Gambuh dance drama, Wayang Wong dance drama), Balih-balihan Entertainment Dances (Legong Kraton, Joged Bumbung, Barong Ket) Legong Part of a series on Dance-drama of Southeast Asia Topography of Southeast Asia. Burma Peacock dance Yama Zatdaw Cambodia Royal Ballet of Cambodia Khmer Shadow Theatre Lakhon Mohory Lakhon Khol Lakhon Pol Srey Yike Indonesia Arja Bajidor Kahot Baksa kembang Bambangan Cakil Bangsawan Baris Barong Bedhaya Cakalele Cendrawasih Condong Didong Gambuh Gambyong Gandrung Gendang Beleq Gending Sriwijaya Hudoq Indang Jaipong Janger Joged Joget Jurit ampil kridha warastra Kabasaran Kancet Papatai Kebagh Kebyar Duduk Kecak Ketoprak Komedie Stamboel Kuda Lumping Legong Lengger Lengger lanang Lenong Lilin Ludruk Makyong Melinting Merak Oleg Ondel-ondel Pajoge Panyembrama Payung Pendet Piring Poco-poco Ramayana Ballet Randai Rejang Reog Rodat Ronggeng Saman Sandiwara Sanghyang Sigale Gale Singo Ulung Sisingaan Srimpi Tandok Tanggai Tebe Toneel Topeng Topeng Banjar Topeng Betawi Topeng Cirebon Topeng Ireng Tor-tor Wayang Wong Yapong Zapin Zapin Api Laos Classical dance and theatre Malaysia Adai-adai Asyik Balai Bangsawan Boria Branyo Ceracap Inai Cinta Sayang Dabus Daling-daling Dikir Barat Dondang Sayang Inai Indang Jikey Joget Joget Gamelan Kuda Kepang Labi-labi Mak Inang Mek Mulung Mak yong Menora Ngajat Payung Piring Rambong Randai Rodat Saba Sewang Sumazau Ulek Mayang Zapin Philippines Binasuan Cariñosa Itik-itik Jota Kuntaw Maglalatik Pandanggo Pangalay Sagayan Singkil Subli Tinikling Singapore Dikir Barat Singapura Thailand Lakhon Khon Fon Hun krabok Lakhon Nai Lakhon Chatri Lakhon Nok Likay Manora Ma yong Mor lam Ram wong Ram Thai Rabam Kingkara Vietnam Nhã nhạc v t e **Legong** ([Balinese](/source/Balinese_script): ᬮᬾᬕᭀᬂ, *légong*) is a form of [Balinese](/source/Balinese_(people)) [dance](/source/Balinese_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](/source/Gamelan) music. When he recovered, he arranged for such dances to be performed in reality. Others believe that the Legong originated with the *[sanghyang](/source/Sanghyang) dedari*, a ceremony involving voluntary [possession](/source/Spirit_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. ## Dancers 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.[2] They would usually stop dancing after marriage. However, in present, Indonesia dancers may be of all ages;[3] performances by men in women's costumes are also recorded.[4] ## 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](/source/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:[5] - *Legong Bapang Sabab* - *Legong Jebog* - *Legong Kraton* - *Legong Kuntir* - *Legong Lasem* - *Legong Raja Cina* - *Legong Semarandana* - *Legong Sudasarna* ## Gallery - Legong Dance performance ## See also - [Indonesia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Indonesia) - [Balinese dances](/source/Balinese_dances) - [Legong: Dance of the Virgins](/source/Legong_(film)), a 1935 film - [Dance of Indonesia](/source/Dance_of_Indonesia) ## In popular culture Legong is mentioned in "I've Been To Bali Too", the single by Australian [folk-rock](/source/Folk-rock) band [Redgum](/source/Redgum) from their 1984 album [Frontline](/source/Frontline_(Redgum_album)). ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Miguel Covarrubias, *Island of Bali*. Knopf, 1946. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Dance and Drama](https://balinesedance.blogspot.com/), by Budi Anjarwani, page found 2010-07-30. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Tari Legong Tak Mengenal Usia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160130040706/http://lifestyle.okezone.com/read/2014/11/29/406/1072412/tari-legong-tak-mengenal-usia) [Legong Dance Knows No Age]. *Okezone.com* (in Indonesian). 29 November 2014. Archived from [the original](http://lifestyle.okezone.com/read/2014/11/29/406/1072412/tari-legong-tak-mengenal-usia) on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Jakun Tak Bisa 'Menipu', Tari Legong Ini Ternyata Ditarikan 6 Orang Pria"](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) [They Can't Lie: This Legong Dance Is Performed by Six Men]. *Tribun*. 20 June 2015. Archived from [the original](http://bali.tribunnews.com/2015/06/20/jakun-tak-bisa-menipu-tari-legong-ini-ternyata-ditarikan-6-orang-pria) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Davies, Stephen (2006). "Balinese Legong: Revival or Decline?". *Asian Theatre Journal*. **23** (2): 314–341. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1353/atj.2006.0018](https://doi.org/10.1353%2Fatj.2006.0018). ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Legong](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Legong). - [Legong Keraton](https://web.archive.org/web/20020625173430/http://www.balivision.com/Article_Resources/Legong.asp) - [Legong dance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpWxEXh5SOI) - [Tari Legong Lasem part 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c11F8O6E93E) v t e Dance in Bali Classical Arja Baris Barong Condong Gambuh Janger Kecak Legong Pendet Sanghyang Topeng Contemporary Cendrawasih Kebyar duduk Joged Oleg Panyembrama Category v t e Dance in Indonesia (list) Balinese dance • Javanese dance • Sundanese dance Acehnese Likok Pulo Rodat Saman Balinese Arja Baris Barong Cendrawasih Condong Gambuh Janger Joged Kebyar duduk Kecak Legong Oleg Panyembrama Pendet Rejang Sanghyang Topeng Banjarese Baksa kembang Topeng Banjar Batak Sigale Gale Tandok Tor-tor Betawi Ondel-ondel Ronggeng Topeng Topeng Betawi Yapong Buginese and Makassarese Pajoge Paraga Pepe-Pepeka ri Makka Cirebonese Topeng Topeng Cirebon Dayak Hudoq Kancet Papatai Javanese Bambangan Cakil Bedhaya Gambyong Gandrung Jurit ampil kridha warastra Kuda Lumping Lengger Lengger lanang Reog Ronggeng Singo Ulung Srimpi Topeng Ireng Topeng Malang Wayang wong Wayang gedog Lampung Melinting Malay Bangsawan Joget Makyong Zapin Zapin Api Minangkabau Indang Lilin Pasambahan Payung Piring Randai Minahasan Kabasaran Palembangese Gending Sriwijaya Kebagh Tanggai Sasak Gendang Beleq Rudat Sundanese Bajidor Kahot Jaipongan Sandiwara Sisingaan Timorese Tebe Moluccan and Papuan Cakalele Poco-poco Authority control databases MusicBrainz work --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Legong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legong) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legong?action=history)). 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