The celebration of Tumpek Wariga (a holyday when a blessing ceremony is given to the plants) which was held on Saturday, (2/21/09) in Puputan Square, Denpasar was quite different from the previous celebration. This time, the celebration was brighten up by the performance of Ritus Legong Dance by Arti Foundation.

The Ritus Legong dance is a contemporary dance, choreographed by Made Surya and Wayan Sudirta, directed by Kadek Suardana and the musical accompaniment was composed by Ketut Lanus and Made Mandra.

The Ritus Legong Dance enacted the joyful life of Balinese farmers in toiling the land and tending the rice plants. Their merry life was expressed by enjoying the tuak (Balinese palm beer) while singing and dancing the genjek. Unfortunately, one day, their crops were attacked by mice; the farmers were sad and held a ritual to appease the goddess of earth. In order to help the distressing farmers, the Goddess Sri (goddess of fertility and good fortune) descended to the earth and saved the farmers’ crops.

The Ritus Legong Dance expressed the harmonious relationship between human and nature, between human and God and among humans in Balinese agrarian community

Popularity: 39% [?]