Huda Huda, Traditional Dances From North Sumatra

Huda Huda is a traditional dance originating from Simalungun Regency. This dance is performed only during the death ceremony for the elderly in Kab. Simalungun. The purpose of this dance is to entertain the family that has been abandoned and also as entertainment for the mourners. The development of this dance was originally used only by the royal family, but developed and used by the Simalungan community of various social classes.



The origin of Huda Huda or this masked dance is when the only child of the royal family dies. An empress or mother of the child suffers sadness until the child is not willing to be buried. Day after day the feelings of the empress were unchanged and still gloomy. This news also reached the ears of the people in the kingdom. Society then thinks of a way to entertain the empress so as not to continue to sad.



Nabon or a group of people who often talk at a meeting also created a variety of funny movements and cover his face with the beak of a hornbill and make a mask like a monkey animal. There are also those that make sounds or sounds to accompany the movement. They then danced at the palace grounds. The king also felt interested and very comforted when he saw the dance that is displayed.



Hearing the crowd in the courtyard, the empress was happy and so enjoyed the show. On this occasion, then the King gave orders to bury his son. Since then, this mask dance performance is shown when there is a grieving family.



However, today the appearance of this mask dance is very rarely done by the people of Simalungun and has changed in terms of its function. Not only as a means of entertainment for the bereaved, but also an art of the show for entertainment facilities for the community.

Barong Dance, Traditional Dance From Bali

Barong Dance is one of the traditional dances originating from Bali. This dance is one of heritage dances from pre Hindu culture, besides Sangyang dance. The word barong itself comes from the word bahruang, which means bears, a mythological animal that has supernatural powers and is regarded as a protective animal.



This dance uses a doll in the form of four-legged animals or early humans who have magical powers. But in reality in Bali, this barong doll is not only embodied in four-legged animals, but there are also two-legged.



Barong mask making material is made of wood that comes from haunted places, such as in the cemetery, therefore Barong is a sacred and highly sanctified by Hindus in Bali. The performances of this dance are without play and always start with a show demonstration accompanied by different gamelan instruments, such as using Babarongan gamelan, Batel gamelan, and Gong Kebyar gamelan.

The Development of Barong Dance

At first, the Barong was only depicted on four legs, but with its development, Barong is not only described today as an animal that has four legs but can also be two legs, sometimes even depicted as a human being. So, what exactly is the understanding of the Barong? Barong word comes from the sansakerta language, namely Bahruang which means bears. In Hindu mythology, the beast is considered to have supernatural powers and is also often referred to as a protective animal for living things. With this mythology, we can draw the conclusion that this Barong is a protective figure for living beings and the beneficiaries and also the goodness of the surrounding.

Types of Barong Dance

Lion barong is the most common barong found on the island of Bali. In each area of Bali has a guardian spirit in the forest or land. This protective spirit is described in the form of certain animals, such as:

Types of Barong

• Barong Ket, which is a barong shaped like a lion animal, this barong is the most common barong and symbolizes the spirit of goodness.


• Barong Landung, which is a giant tangible barong, this barong is influenced by Chinese culture and its form is similar to Ondel-ondel in Betawi.


• Barong Celeng, which is a wild boar-shaped barong.


• Barong Macan, a tiger-shaped barong or tiger.


• Dragon Barong, which is a dragon animal or snake-shaped barong.


• Barongan Pilangrejo, which is a barong shaped like a lion animal and comes from the juwangi district, this barong describes the symbol of savagery.

In addition to the types of barong above, there are also other types of barong, such as barong brutuk in the village Trunyan. This barong uses the feathers of banana leaves that have been dried and very sacred by the people in Trunyan. There is also a Barong which is generally performed specifically at Ngaben ceremony.