DANCE AND DRAMA

No visitor to Bali should leave the island without first seeing some of its diverse dances and drama. An important part of Balinese culture, dance and drama are regarded as expression of devotion to the gods and means of infusing the younger generation with old values. Most of today's Balinese dances originates from Java;only a handful are indigenous dances as the rejang, baris and pendet.

Historical records from the ninth century also named the wayang (puppet theatre) and topeng (mask dance) as the main entertainment of day.

Javanese influence from Java started infiltrating into Bali in the 14^th century when it was conquered by Gajah Mada, a power general of the Majapahit Empire. Court nobles and courtiers began to settle in Bali, bringing them with their dance and drama which was absorbed by the local population.