LEGONG DANCERS Bali


The girl raises her arm to defend herself. She snaps open her fan to hit her enemy. She is not really in danger. She is a Legong dancer telling a story. In the story, she is a princess who has been kidnapped. Fresh flowers from her jeweled crown come loose and fall to the floor as she moves her head. Her dress binds her body tightly like a golden cocoon. The stiffness of her costume makes it difficult to move. Yet she must move to tell the story well. Her footwork and gestures must be perfect. Legong is a holy dance. It is also INDIAN OCEAN


a form of art. Yet many in Bali today view it as an “old way.” They want their culture to be more modern. They think they do not have time for old stories.


ASIA


PACIFIC OCEAN


INDIAN OCEAN


Bali AUSTRALIA


U10-01NGS-664173 14 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


WG.SEAsia.GlobeLoc.UA.eps WG Southeast Asia Unit Atlas Globe Locator


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