The history of establishment of wayang wong* began at about the beginning of 19^th century. At the time, the king of Klungkung, I Dewa Agung Sakti, ordered the establishment of dance group consisting of thirty six people, half which were to play the role of simian army of Rama, and the other half was act the role of Rahwana’s army giants. At the time of its establishment, the group members all wore masks which characterized their role as monkeys or as giant, in the performance. The clothing worn by the monkeys was made from plant fibres (prasok) to stimulate fur.

Wayang Wong performance on The Annual Bali Arts Festival 2006

This dance group depicted stories from the Ramayana dealing with the fight between the simian and giant armies. The performance was known as Barong Blasan or Barong Kedingkling. This Barong became very popular not only in the palace but also in the village especially when performed on the holiday. The performers in monkey masks and costume would enters the village and go from house to house, clowning and entertaining the people as they went, the villager donated some money, a coconut or other kitchen utensil. The simians would even climb the coconut trees and fetch the donation themselves. These performances were always greeted with great enthusiasm by the villagers for reason other than mere enjoyment and entertaining spectacle.

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In an uncontrolled fit of temper Giriputri the mountain goddess and wife of Bhatara Siwa, had so mistreated her child Sanghyang Kumara that Siwa banished her to the middle world. There she was to remain, ugly, with large, flaccid breasts and demonic canine teeth, and rule the death temple and the burial and cremation grounds. From this moment on, humanity in the realm of Medan Kumulan was afflicted by pestilence and death.

Much later the god Siwa felt an urge to visit Giriputri, whom he had cursed and who was now known as Bhatari Durga. After transforming himself into the demonic Sang Hyang Kala Rudra, he met Durga at a crossroads, copulated with her and thus begot the three demons, Bhuta Bang (The red Demon), Bhuta Sweta (The White Demon) and Bhuta Ireng (The Black Demon). Together with the spirits of disease Bhuta Brelaga, they now caused terror and disaster throughout the country.

In great concern over the future of humanity, Bhatara Brahma, eldest son of the divine couple Siwa and Giriputri, summoned his two younger brothers Wisnu and Iswara to a conference. After Bhatara Wisnu had thought the problem over carefully, he suggested that all there brother should appear in the middle world as priests to arrange for various necessary measures to be taken against their parents’ demonic emanations.

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Animal sacrifices or using animals in religious ceremonies is obligatory in Bali. Most of Balinese ceremonies require one or more animal to be scarified. Killing animal in this way is not considered a cruelty. When animal is killed in sacrifice, it acquires karma, enough perhaps, to allow it to be reincarnated at higher level. The body is not important to the Hindu faithful. It is shell. Animal that is killed for a sacrifice is always treated with a great reverence. Offering are made to it. Mantras are recited, asking for improved status in the next life. An animal cannot be sacrificed without these prayers and offerings.

Animals that are sacrificed are various range from chicken, duck, goose, pig, dog, turtle, goat, water buffaloes, eagles even tiger. The animal sacrifices mostly occur in Bhuta Yadnya (rites for demon) ceremonies since demons love to see and taste blood and flesh. This bhuta yadnya is usually conducted to appease the demon and to restore the balance of positive and negative force.

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