Identity and the Bali-China Relationship: The Symbolism of the Barong Landung Puppets | Episode 21

The NOW! Bali Podcast

Found in most banjars across Bali, the distinct appearance of the Barong Landung characters are unmistakeable in the assortment of Balinese religious effigies. This conspicuous couple, always found together, are at face-value just symbols of an old Balinese love story. However, digging deeper, this historic husband and wife drama speaks not of love, but of identity. It is symbolic of Bali’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious history, and ultimately of the centuries-long relationship the island has had with China.

This episode was originally published in our February 2022 Digital Edition of NOW! Bali. You can find a library of monthly editions here, to read online for free.

To read as you listen, or to see visual references and photos, feel free to follow along the transcript and article here.'

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