Barong Landung

On the island of Nusa Penida there lived an incestuous demon Jero Gede Macaling the tusked giant once be come to Bali followed by a horde of devils. He landed in south Bali in the form of a Barong and waited there while his henchmen went inland to destroy. The people grew alarmed and consulted a priest who told them they must created another Barong like Jero Gede Macaling that alone could away the demon. So they made the Big Barong and succeeded in frightening the giant back to Nusa since the Barong has been used for driving away illness and evil spirits.

This folktale gives an origin of the Barong Landung ("tall Barong") a name applying two giant puppets a male and a female. Believed to have to exorcise harmful influences during times of distress, these puppets are considered sacred and, like the other Barongs are kept in a special bale in the temple. Together they enack to a comic opera sung in Balinese with a story usually taken from history Jero Gede the male puppet, is a burly, black giant with puffed cheeks and ruby red lips, Who is supposed to resemble the legendary Tusked Giant of Nusa Penida. His consort Jero Luh, dressed all in white, has a pro truding forehead and chin, and a loud, husky voice (that of a man) which she doesn't hesitate to used to its fullest extent.

In many villages of south Bali , the enormous Couple is accompanied by puppets with smaller masks, who play the parts of princes and princesses. Often, Jero Gede and Jero Luh act as clowns, rocking about in the most unpredictable fashion to the low resonant drums and shimmering flute. Their remarks can be of the bawdiest humor and become particularly embarrassing to well-mannered Balinese when the prince and princess show a little affection toward one another.

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