Sanghyang Dance (Bali's Primitive Sacred and Trance Dance)

Sanghyang Jaran Dancer in Action

Sanghyang Dance is one of sacred and trance theatrical tradition in Bali. Its presented in the form of religious dance and specifically serves as a dance against dissaster or outbreak of disease.

Until recently Sanghyang dance is exist but not held merely as a spectacle. It is unusual dance that could be performed by anybody. The dancer are chosen by the priest or the villages elder. As a sacred and trance dance, the dancer will exposure to the spirits of the animals who has a destructive force like wild boar, monkeys, or who have other supernatural force, or even celestial nymph to get a prosperousness for the vilages.

Sanghyang dance is the Pre-Hindu cultural heritage that is intended as a repellent danger and disease, is to open the spiritual communication of the citizen who are represented by the priest or the villages elder with the supernatural. Its danced by male or female with accompanied by a choir whos sing a worship songs. The dancer will not conscious with what he/she did. The movement sometimes unbelievable because its controlled by the spirits. After the priest sprinkle a holy water to the dancer at the end, then the dancer will become very tired and limp, and after sometimes he/she will be fine and never know what move she/he has made. 

There are some names of Sanghyang dance, defends on the function or on the spirits that its invite to communicate with. 

The most Sanghyang dance performed in Bali are;

• Sanghyang Dedari (nymph spirits), 
• Sanghyang Deling (spirits of Vishnu to appeal the fertility), 
• Sanghyang Bojog (spirit of monkey), 
• Sanghyang Jaran (spirits of horse), 
• Sanghyang Sampat (spirits of supernatural), 
• Sanghyang Celeng (spirits of the wild boar).

There are three most important element to held this sacred dance;

• Smoke/fire
• Gending Sanghyang ( a choir)
• Media (persons/dancer or dolls)