Kecak Dance

Kecak is a form of Balinese music drama, originated in the 1930s and is performed primarily by men, although a few women's kecak groups exist as of 2006.

This dance is performed by many (tens or more) male dancers who sat lined up in a circle and with a certain rhythm called "cak" and raised both of theirs arms. depicts the story of Ramayana when formation of apes help Rama fight Ravana.

Kecak derived from Sanghyang ritual, a traditional dancing, the dancing permormed in unconscious condition, to communicate with God or the spirits of the ancestors and then convey the expectations to the public.

The dancers who sat lined up in a circle wear a plaid cloth like a chessboard their waist. Besides the dancers, there are other dancers who portray the characters of ‘Ramayana’; as Rama, Shinta, Ravana, Hanuman, and Sugriwa. Kecak dance music taken from the ritual dances ‘sanghyang’. Also, do not use musical instruments. only used kincringan, wear on the feet of dancers who portray the characters of Ramayana.

 What makes the Kecak such a fascinating dance to watch are the fifty or so men in the checkered pants.  They are both the choir and the props, providing the music for the story in a series of constant vocal chants that change with the mood of the actors.  They don't sit still, either, they wave their arms to simulate fire, and reposition themselves around the stage to represent wind and fire, prison cells, and unseen hand of protection from the gods.

The dance is played in five acts and lasts roughly 45 minutes.  Weekly (in some places daily) performances of the Kecak abound around the island, but the most well-known Kecak theater is in the town of Batubulan just north of the Balinese capital of Denpasar.  The dance company provides transportation for a nominal fee to and from the resort.

Attending a Kecak recital is a must for any visitor to Bali.  It is a wondrous experience, and a window into the musical and artistic culture that make the Balinese a special people.