What happens in a Kecak performance?

Did you ever imagine that watching a dance form could be a great way to know about Bali and its culture? Probably the best way to get introduced to Balinese Hinduism? And an amazing opportunity to experience an interesting art form of the Southeast? Well, I did not until I watched this really captivating performance at one of the many temples in Bali. It was called the Kecak Fire Dance.

Bali is the perfect destination for all kinds of travelers – the food-lover, the adventure-enthusiast, the nature-seeker, and the island-hopper. Bali is full of exciting things to do. For me, a trip to Bali was a cultural extravaganza. Bali was all about beautiful temples, a peek into the ancient art of shadow puppets, and a fascinating dance form called Kecak. In this post, let us explore the world of Kecak Fire Dance.

What is a Kecak Fire Dance?

Kecak Fire Dance or simply Kecak (pronounced Kechak) is a mesmerizing dance and music performance that developed in Bali in the 1930s. The drama is based on the Hindu mythology of Ramayana and features 4 important characters: Ram, Sita, Ravana, and Hanuman. It deals with the episode of Sita’s abduction by Ravana and then her rescue. However, the portrayal is not an ordinary one. That is why it is such a must-do on every Bali itinerary.

Kecak starts with more than 100 performers arriving on the podium and continuously chanting “chak” to set the stage for the battle of Ramayana. The chant goes something like this “chak kecak kecak” and hence, the name Kecak. The performers wear chequered clothing and sit in concentric circles around a centerpiece of fire. The performance is, therefore, called the Kecak Fire Dance. 

The Origins of Kecak

Kecak originated from a sacred Balinese dance called the Sanghyang. It is believed that a hyang or spirit enters the body of the dancer and forces her into a state of trance. This induces her to dance and move to chants of the Sanghyang choir. This is something the dancer does not remember when she gets back to normal. The Kecak Fire Dance has a similar base – the presence of a chak chorus. However, the dancers are not entranced. Rather, they are trained in presenting the story of Ramayana.

Alternately, Jakarta Post lets us believe that Kecak originated in a village called Bona that was ridden by a deadly disease in the early 20th century. Many people were killed. There were no doctors around. In such a situation, villagers took to noise-making to ward off evil spirits. They would bang buckets, whack kettles, and beat cymbals. None of these worked until the villagers started making human noises and a man became possessed by the rhythm and broke into a dance. The disease started to ease and the spiritual dance of Kecak was born.

The modern form of Kecak, the more touristy and commercialized one, was popularised by a German painter named Walter Spies and a Balinese dancer called Wayan Limbak. This happened in the 1930s when both of them incorporated components of Ramayana into the spiritual Balinese dance. Thus, was born the modern dance of Kecak.

A Brief of The Performance

The performance begins with the arrival of 100+ performers on stage who sit down to chant “kecak” in a chorus. The principal characters arrive after that. Ram’s beautiful wife, Sita, is kidnapped by the bad man, Ravana and taken to a faraway land. Ram seeks the help of Monkey God, Hanuman and his army to defeat Ravana and bring back Sita. The story ends with a bitter battle between Hanuman’s monkey army and Ravana’s demon army. Good triumphs over evil. The performance ends with a man walking over red-hot coconut shells i.e. the fire: a dramatic finale to an already energetic performance.

Where Can You Watch A Kecak Fire Dance?

Ubud is certainly the best place to watch a Kecak dance because there are a number of shows going on every week. Plus, there are so many other things to do in Ubud like visiting one of the beautiful Balinese temples, visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest, or doing the Campuhan Ridge Walk. You will never run out of options.

Kecak dances are organized in and around the city center in Ubud. You can find all the relevant details here. Other parts of Bali also host similar shows. Getting around in Bali is not a problem because of the sheer number of local transport options available here. So, hop into a bemo and get anywhere you want to. The shows generally start between 7 – 7:30 pm and last about 90 minutes.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu or the Temple of Uluwatu which is located on the sea coast is a popular Kecak-watching destination. Here, the dance is conducted at sunset. You can watch the dancers against a backdrop of the sea and sky, both changing colors as the sun decides to set for the day. The effect can be mesmerizing. The dance is usually included in a full day or a half day tour to Uluwatu.

Sometimes I feel that Kecak has been made almost synonymous with Uluwatu. People think of “Kecak at Uluwatu” whenever they think of Kecak in general. But Kecak is so much more than that. Kecak can be a really enthralling experience wherever you watch it. And some of the groups in downtown Ubud do a great job at it. For example, Ubud has a women’s only Kecak performance (one that I have the pictures from) which is far more evocative and graceful than many of the male-only ones! My advice is to not restrict yourself and be open to options as you go along.

Interesting Points About Kecak

• Kecak has no musical background except the rhythmic chanting of “chak kechak kechak” by the performers.
• Kecak originated as a men-only dance form but has now progressed to adopt women performers. There are a couple of women-only performances in downtown Ubud.
• Kecak did not arise in Hinduism. It is more like both of them fused in the 1930s to give birth to a more touristic and dramatic version of the original Kecak Fire Dance.

Have you been to a Kecak fire dance? What did you like about it? Are there other interesting performances in Bali? Feel free to drop me a line below and let’s get the conversation going.

How is Kecak performed?

Why is Kecak dance performed?

What is unique about the Kecak dance?

Who performs Kecak?