Kecak Dance: The Epic Balinese Fire Dance

Kecak dance which is well-known as Balinese Fire Dance or Monkey Chant Dance is one of the Balinese dances that you shouldn’t miss while you’re in Bali. Have you heard about this one? An amazing dance performance that uses no music instrumental during the performances that differ it from the other Balinese dances. Here is all about the Kecak dance performance in Bali.

Source: Flickr

What is Kecak Dance?

Kecak dance is a Balinese traditional art of dance-drama that narrates the story of Ramayana epic. It is believed that Wayan Limbak, a Balinese dancer, co-created the Kecak Dance alongside German painter Walter Spies in 1930.

The Kecak Dance is inspired by the Sanghyang tradition, where spirits possess the dancers, allowing them to interact with the ancestors or gods. When possessed, the dancers can perform extreme actions such as walking on fire or making inhuman sounds. The purpose of this possession is to use the dancers as a medium to convey divine messages.

Kecak Dance highlights the art of movement and the art of sound (chants) without any instrumental music. It is what distinguishes this dance from other Balinese dances and attracts tourists to come to Bali over and over again. The sound of ornaments on the dancer’s feet exclusively generates the music for the dramatic dance.

Source: Pixabay

The History of Kecak Bali

The Kecak dance was created in the 1930s by a Balinese artist named Wayan Limbak and a German painter named Walter spies. The Kecak Bali was inspired by the Sanghyang dance. The Sanghyang dance is a sacred Balinese dance performed in Hindu temples to ward off evil spirits and illnesses. Originally, more than 50 men performed the Kecak dance exclusively. The improvement of this dance depicts the Ramayana epic which is now known as drama dance. They incorporated elements of the Ramayana into the trance dance, transforming it into a narrative performance. This new form of dance was more accessible and entertaining for both Balinese and Western audiences.

The name “Kecak” dance derives from the repetitive chant of “Cak… cak… cak…” that accompanies the dance performance. Originally, specific regions like Bona village in Gianyar Regency were the exclusive domains of Kecak performances. Over time, it has become a widespread tradition across Bali, particularly during special events and as a welcoming gesture for guests. Today, you can witness this dance drama being presented all across Bali, with a particular emphasis on cultural destinations. is now internationally recognised as one of Bali’s top-three signature dances (alongside the Barong and Legong).

Source: Pixabay

The Kecak Dance Performance

The Kecak dance performance starts by burning incense on the stage. Then the bare-chested male dancers enter the stage while singing “Cak… cak… cak…” and form a circular line and then sit cross-legged. While chanting the word “Cak”, their hands move up and down, left and right while shaking it. Sometimes they sing while moving their head and shoulders.  In certain scenes, while sitting, they drop their bodies backward.

Then the dancers who figure the characters in the Ramayana epic like Rama, Shinta, Lakshamana, Hanoman, and Sugriwa, enter the stage one by one. They play the role in the middle of a circle made by the shirtless male dancers. The drama starts when prince Rama hunts the jungle with his wife, Shinta, and his brother, Lakshmana. Then Rahwana comes to kidnap Shinta and hold her in his palace. Rama seeks help and delegates Lakshmana to meet Sugriwa, the king of the monkey kingdom. Then Sugriwa sends a white monkey named Hanoman to rescue Shinta.

The performance reaches its peak excitement when Rahwana’s troops capture Hanoman and put him at the center of a fiery circle, with the intention of burning him alive. Instead of dying, Hanoman breaks out the fire and gets out to burn the Rahwana’s palace, Alengka Pura.

Anyway, if you watch the Kecak show in tourist destinations, mostly at the beginning of the performance, there will be a narrator who explains about the Kecak dance both in Bahasa Indonesia and English.

Where We Can See The Performance?

So what’s on your mind now? Where can we see a Kecak dance performance? For this, we will present places where you can watch Kecak dance in Bali

This is a list of places you should go to watch the performance.

Uluwatu Temple

The Uluwatu dance takes place on a round, open-air stage right next to the Uluwatu Temple. What makes this spot so beloved by visitors, both from within the country and from abroad, is the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding area and the stunning sunsets. The Kecak dance performances at the Uluwatu Temple are extra special because they’re held in a place that’s very sacred to the people of Bali, and the views are absolutely amazing. The stage can hold more than 1,400 people, offering everyone a chance to see the spectacular sunset.The Tari Kecak Uluwatu is performed everyday at the Uluwatu Open Stage from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM WITA, except on the day before Nyepi and on Nyepi Day itself. You can find the Uluwatu Open Stage in this map.

GWK Cultural Park

Not only home to one of the tallest statues in the world, at GWK Cultural Park you can enjoy a Kecak dance performance featuring Ogoh-ogoh – giant statues that represent the mythical creature Garuda. Kecak Garuda Wishnu Kencana is performed every day at Lotus Pond at 6 pm. GWK Cultural Park is located in Jimbaran, you can find it in this map.

Pura Dalem Taman Kaja

Famous for its calm environment, Ubud is one of the most well-known places to watch the Kecak dance, at Pura Dalem Taman Kaja. Every Wednesday and Saturday, starting at 7 pm, you can watch the intense performance as the sun sets overhead.  Pura Dalem Taman Kaja is located in this center of Ubud which is 7 minutes of walking, and from Ngurah Rai Airport by using car, it will take around 1 hour 30 minutes. You can find the place in this map.

Pura Dalem Ubud

Pura Dalem Ubud has a different atmosphere compared to other temples in Bali. The temple, actively venerating Rangda, the Demon Queen, bears the title of the Temple of Death. The Tari Kecak Pura Dalem Ubud is performed every Monday and Friday from 7:30 PM WITA. Pura Dalem Ubud is located around the center of Ubud, which is 5 minutes of walk from the Ubud Palace. It will take around 1 hour 30 minutes to get to the Pura Dalem Ubud from Ngurah Rai Airport by using car. This map will show you where is the Pura Dalem Ubud.

Interested in Kecak Dance?

It is easy to find a place to see the Kecak show in Bali like Kecak dance in Ubud, Kecak dance in Uluwatu Temple, and the other places around Bali. If you are in Ubud, there are two popular places to see it. Named Pura Dalem Taman Kaja in Taman Kaja village and Padang Tegal Kaja. You can also see it in other places around Ubud. 

But before you go to the place, make sure to check the schedule of the performance. If you stay in Ubud Villas Rental. by Red Lotus Property. You can ask the villa’s team to check the schedule, drive and accompany you to watch it.