Kecak Fire and Trance Dance

The Kecak is a special dance, accompanied by a capella male voices like the Greek chorus, that tells a story from the Hindu epic, Ramayama. This Balinese dance, resplendant with brightly colored and elaborately detailed costumes and hand movements, involves Hanoman, the white monkey, and Rama in the rescue of Sita, Rama's wife, from the demon, Rahwana. The mythical bird, Garuda, participates as does Sugriwa, the red king of the monkeys in the escape and ensuing battle. This adventure story was followed by a chanting induced trance during which the horse rider kicks and dances through burning coals. Exciting!