I Nyoman Sukerna, Aris Setiawan

Sacred Dimensions of Barong Ngelawang Sungsungan: Mythology, Process, and Performance

Introduction

Sacred dimensions of barong ngelawang sungsungan: mythology, process, and performance. Explore the sacred dimensions of Barong Ngelawang Sungsungan, linking mythology, sacralization, and performance. Understand its role as a divine symbol in religious ceremonies for harmonious living and detoxification.

Abstract

This research aims to explore the sacred dimensions of the Barong Ngelawang Sungsungan based on the interconnectedness of mythology, the process of sacralization, and its sacredness in performance. During religious ceremonies, the Barong symbolizes pride, magical power, grandeur, and divinity. The ethnographic methodology is employed to gain insights into cultural aspects observed, heard, and concluded, thereby understanding cultural knowledge from the perspective of the local community. Research findings indicate that from a mythological perspective, the Barong Ngelawang Sungsungan serves functionally as a sacred symbol, reinforcing the laws of cause and effect that must be obeyed and revered and a tool for creating a harmonious life. In its holy purpose, ngelawang can be manifested as a practice to strengthen fraternal bonds, interpreted as a signal of awareness, and a means of detoxification from the natural environment to eliminate negatively oriented forces..  

Review

This research paper, "Sacred Dimensions of Barong Ngelawang Sungsungan: Mythology, Process, and Performance," promises a fascinating and important investigation into a culturally significant Balinese tradition. The study's clear objective—to unravel the interconnectedness of mythology, sacralization, and performance in understanding the Barong Ngelawang Sungsungan's sacred dimensions—is well-articulated. The choice of an ethnographic methodology is particularly appropriate for gaining deep insights into local community perspectives and the nuanced cultural knowledge surrounding this practice, setting a strong foundation for a comprehensive analysis. The abstract effectively outlines several compelling findings that illuminate the Barong's multifaceted role. Mythologically, it functions as a potent sacred symbol, reinforcing ethical frameworks and promoting harmonious living. Beyond its symbolic weight, the practice of *ngelawang* is shown to possess profound practical significance, acting as a means to strengthen social cohesion, cultivate community awareness, and facilitate spiritual "detoxification" from negative forces in the environment. These insights collectively underscore the Barong's critical function in the community's worldview, demonstrating its integral role in both spiritual and social well-being. To further enhance the paper's scholarly contribution, the full manuscript would benefit from a more detailed exploration of certain aspects hinted at in the abstract. Specifically, a deeper dive into the *process* of sacralization—how the Barong becomes, and remains, sacred through specific rituals and communal interactions—would be invaluable. Similarly, providing rich ethnographic descriptions of *how* the "sacredness in performance" manifests and is experienced by participants and observers during the *ngelawang* would significantly strengthen the analysis. Elucidating the precise mechanisms through which *ngelawang* achieves "detoxification" and "eliminates negatively oriented forces," perhaps through specific examples or participant narratives, would also deepen our understanding of these significant claims.

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