Balinese Life
Kids Dance and Devotional Services

Temple festivals and other communal rituals in Bali are inseparable from art performances. Apparently, both have become an integrated part of the ritual itself. They may pronounce it in refined Balinese expression as ngaturang ayah or devotional service. It does not merely constitute a profound expression of devotion but also portrays a thorough philosophical meaning inspired by Hinduism.

The Balinese community, immensely rich in performing arts, presents some of them as sacrificial performance. Ordinarily, those dances (like the pendet, baris, sanghyang, and rejang) are known as sacred dances (wali) and only performed during a religious ceremony and uniquely presented by young women or schoolgirls.
Virgin girls or those that do not have their monthly period yet, for instance, should dance the rejang. Such a dance is always staged during a temple festival at the middle and innermost courtyard after the melasti procession, welcoming the coming down of gods to earth. A group of young girls in white and yellow costumes move their hands elegantly while wagging their sash. Their headdress is brightly made of fresh young coconut leaf and embellished with beautiful floral ornaments. So, it is not astonishing that devotees attending the festival are struck with amazement and admiration.
In truth, a presentation as this does not only stand for a devotional service. It also means to inculcate the spirit of regeneration of the dancer and early introduction to the heritage of traditional dances to children. As they are involved since the early age, it will encourage them to learn more and bring them closer to the roots of their cultural identity.
In Bali nowadays every kindergarten school till senior high school has these extracurricular subjects. One of them is a Balinese traditional dance. They enthusiastically join the activity and vivaciously ask their mother to prepare any dancing tools required. Also their hamlet community (called Banjar) purveys them with dance courses on Sundays at the local meeting hall, or if unavailable, they may attend private dance lesson organized by dance studios. Here, subjects are focused on balih-balihan dances or that presented for entertainment interest like Oleg tamulilingan, margapati and so forth.
Examination of this course will become an exuberant event for them where myriad participants flock together. All participants wear complete costumes of each dance and make a presentation before the general public and the jury team assessing their competence. Beyond this activity, and if they are lucky enough, their studio will offer a presentation at a hotel or restaurant to entertain the guests during dinner. Assuredly, this will enrich their experience and give an understanding that a hobby does not only give enjoyment but also payment. Most professional dancers start from here and can earn their living by dancing or even bring abroad.
Visitors can also see children at the art performance of the annual Bali Arts Festival (BAF). Other than dances, some traditional games are also staged on this occasion of which each participant represents their regency across Bali. The humorous expressions and gestures of distinctive children style will make the spectators snigger.
To sum up, regeneration of children dance, especially those sacred ones, goes naturally as it has been introduced at early stage of children development. That’s why there are no worries about the extinction of those dances in the future as ritual activities stays to exist as long as its supporting community, the (Hindu) Balinese, lasts. (BTN/029)