I've always assumed that the Kecak dance in Bali is a ceremonial dance commonly performed in temples. But this is not so.
Most of the rituals and ceremonies in Bali temples are not privy to tourists. The Kecak dance that we see today being performed at various well-known temples or pura(s) as the locals know them, is the brainchild of Walter Spies (a German painter and musician) and Indonesian dancer, Wayan Limbak. The performance which first appeared in 1930, is inspired by the sacred Balinese ritual known as Sanghyang with the epic Ramayana saga as its storyline. Kecak dance is performed in many parts of Bali but the best one to watch is at Uluwatu Temple, with a breathtaking view of the sunset as a backdrop.
Kecak dance at Uluwatu Temple
The Ramayana saga depicted in the Kecak dance has been condensed for brevity. The performance begins with Sita and Rama's exiles in the jungle of Dandaka, followed by the re-enactment of the Golden Deer, the abduction of Sita by Ravana, the battle between Ravana and Jatayu, the search for Sita by Hanuman, and it ends with the battle between Rama and Ravana. Devoid of the traditional gamelan instruments that usually accompany Balinese performances, the Kecak chanters chant and sing in accordance with the mood and milieu of the story.
Sita and Rama's exiles
Abduction of Sita by Ravana
Search for Sita by Hanuman
The lesser-known Sanghyang dance is considered a sacred ritual performed exclusively at Balinese religious ceremonies. Declared a world heritage by UNESCO in 2015, the Sanghyang Dedari dance is held to honour the goddess of prosperity before harvest time. The dance is performed by pre-pubescent girls, between the ages of 7 and 12 as they are the personification of purity. During the ritual, the girls will go into a state of trance and it is believed that spiritual entities, identified as hyang in ancient mythology have entered their bodies. They usually do not remember anything after the performance. This dance is rare but you can still find it at Geriana Kauh Village, North Duda, Karangasem Regency, Bali currently.
Tickets to the performance can be purchased from Klook or enquire with your local travel agent.