The Sacred and Rare Baris Cina Dance at Petitenget Temple
The unique and rare sacred dance, Baris Cina was performed at the anniversary of Petitenget Temple, Wednesday, October 8, 2008 in Kerobokan. It was quite a surprise for me since I thought that Baris Cina was only performed in Khayangan Tiga Temple, Renon village and Belanjong, Sanur (Denpasar), but in Bali you have to expect the unexpected.
The Baris Cina is danced by 18 dancers divided into two groups. One group wear white cloth and the other wear black one. This dance has unique costume, trouser, shirt, sarong shawl, black spectacles and hat. The hat that is used in this dance is similar to the hat that was used by Chinese. The dance movement imitates the artistic motion of martial art “Pencak Silat” and each dancer brings a saber as a weapon. Baris Cina dance is accompanied by Gong Beri (gong without snout), a special musical ensemble designed only for accompanying this sacred dance.
The story in relation with the origin of Baris Cina goes that a Chinese ship was beached along the Sanur coast hundreds year ago. While the ship was being repaired the Chinese camped on the beach and, during their spare time, went through group exercises something like manual of arms with their swords. The Chinese were the only people in Bali who wore long pants in those days. The Balinese had never seen anything like this, and so, when the ship had been repaired and gone away, they imitated the action of the sailors and the instruments that were used in to accompany the military exercise.