The Experience
Of all the dances seen on Bali today, the Kecak dance is perhaps the most dramatic. Taken from the Hindu epic Ramayana, the dance tells the story of Prince Rama and his rescue of Princess Sita, who has been kidnapped by the evil King of Lanka. Unlike other dances, there is no gamelan orchestra accompanying it. Instead, a troupe of over 150 bare-chested men serve as the chorus, making a wondrous cacophany of synchronized "chak-achak-achak" clicking sounds while swaying their bodies and waving their hands.
What makes the Kecak special is that the accompanying music is provided by the human voice, the gamelan suara, a choir of a hundred men or more sitting in concentric circles, swaying, standing up, lying prone as the story develops.Amongst the swaying masses the voices of the storytellers can be heard telling the unfolding tale.
The story line of the dance is taken from the Ramayana epic that tells of the evil King Rahwana using trickery to kidnap Rama's wife Dewi Sinta, and how with the help of the white monkey army, Rama rescues his wife and defeats the evil Rahwana. The dance however is not a traditional Balinese dance it was developed in the 1930s in the village of Bona specifically for western tastes.
bali kecak dance
kecak dance uluwatu
kecak dance bali
kecak dance
kecak bali
uluwatu
uluwatu temple
What makes the Kecak special is that the accompanying music is provided by the human voice, the gamelan suara, a choir of a hundred men or more sitting in concentric circles, swaying, standing up, lying prone as the story develops.Amongst the swaying masses the voices of the storytellers can be heard telling the unfolding tale.
The story line of the dance is taken from the Ramayana epic that tells of the evil King Rahwana using trickery to kidnap Rama's wife Dewi Sinta, and how with the help of the white monkey army, Rama rescues his wife and defeats the evil Rahwana. The dance however is not a traditional Balinese dance it was developed in the 1930s in the village of Bona specifically for western tastes.
bali kecak dance
kecak dance uluwatu
kecak dance bali
kecak dance
kecak bali
uluwatu
uluwatu temple
When to Go
Odds n' Ends
Ticket fee at 50 - 70,000 rupiahs/person
More Experiences Nearby
- Get Locked into History at the Elmina Slave Castle
- As the door slammed shut, a wave of claustrophobia enveloped the thirty-two people crammed into a dingy cell at the Elmina Castle on the Ghanaian Gold Coast. The cells here are no bigger than an average closet, and the only light which can be seen from the inside is a small square of light at the door. Everything inside the cell was black and quiet except for the breathing of those people around me. A few moments later, the door swung open and my lungs breathed in fresh air with relief. The staggering moment came when our tour guide informed ...364 miles away.
- Catch a Bird's Eye View of the Rainforest in Kakum National Park
- My heart pounds as I look over the landscape. Taking the first step is key to one of the greatest experiences I'll have in Ghana, if I can just get over the height. One deep breathe in and I'm going for it. Stepping onto the first bridge feels like freedom in the sky. It's a shaky freedom for me but freedom nonetheless. Exploring Kakum National Park in central Ghana provides an exhilarating close look at African nature. At 40 meters high in some areas, taking a canopy tour over the Kakum rainforest feels like a walk in the clouds. North ...386 miles away.
Video
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Indonesian 
,
Malay
,
Mandarin
,
Portugese
are some of the languages spoken in Indonesia. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
Discussion
Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.
