
Dancers in Karangasem, Bali, performed the sacred Rejang dance on Saturday, June 27, 2026, as part of the Kuningan holiday. This holiday marks the conclusion of the 10-day Galungan festival, which celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The performance was captured by Firdia Lisnawati for the Associated Press.
This summary was generated from a story originally published by Bali news.
Must readA traveler who spent four months in Bali highlights important health and safety considerations for visitors, despite finding the island largely safe and welcoming. Key warnings include the risk of counterfeit alcohol, which can contain methanol and lead to life-threatening poisoning; travelers should buy alcohol only from reputable establishments and check bottle seals. Another common issue is "Bali Belly," or traveler's diarrhea, caused by contaminated food or water, which can be severe. Drinking bottled water and practicing food hygiene are recommended. Navigating Bali's chaotic roads on scooters can be challenging for inexperienced riders, with ride-hailing services or local drivers suggested as safer alternatives. Animal encounters also pose risks, as rabies remains present on the island, requiring immediate medical attention for any bites or scratches. Finally, the traveler emphasizes the importance of comprehensive travel insurance, as medical emergencies in Bali can quickly become very expensive. These tips aim to help travelers prepare for a safer and more informed experience in Bali.

Ketut Alit Widiantari, 14, and over 30 of her female friends performed the sacred Rejang Kuningan dance in Tista village, Bali, on Saturday during the Kuningan holiday. The dance took place at Bali's Puseh temple, a spiritual center for the local Balinese Hindu community. Dancers walked barefoot to the temple courtyard, wearing traditional clothes and headdresses made of colorful leaves and flowers. Kuningan marks the end of the 10-day Galungan festival, celebrating the triumph of good over evil, and is believed to be when deities and ancestral spirits return to the heavens. The Rejang dance, performed by young women moving slowly around a temple, is an offering to God and the ancestors. Before the performance, the girls are blessed by a temple priest. Rejang dance forms vary across Bali, with each community preserving distinct traditions through costumes, music, and dance formations, as seen in Karangasem district.

On Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Tista village, Karangasem, Bali, 14-year-old Ketut Alit Widiantari and over 30 of her female friends performed the sacred Rejang Kuningan dance. The dancers, adorned in traditional clothing and headdresses of leaves and flowers, walked barefoot to the Puseh temple courtyard, the spiritual center for the Balinese Hindu community. This performance marked the Kuningan holiday, which concludes the 10-day Galungan festival. The Galungan festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, and Kuningan is believed to be the day when deities and ancestral spirits return to the heavens after blessing their families and communities on Earth.