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The local balineese style dance is called Gamelan

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traveling mama
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The Gamelan Factory

  • April 7, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by rickhowe from Darlington, Maryland
The Gamelan Factory

We were fascinated by the sound and look of the Gamelans that are played at the dance performances in Bali. Called "Gongs" by the locals, they are made by a number of craftsmen in the Ubud area. Ask your guide to take you to a factory.

There are two basic styles of Gongs. One looks more like the kind of Gong you think of from a Charlie Chan (or Indiana Jones) movie: circular brass-carved plates, in different sizes, played with mallets.

But the more fascinating Gong (or Gamelan) is more like a Xylophone (or a Mexican Marimba), with brass bars instead of wood. It creates a scale of sorts (both not a scale for Western music) and may include as many as 10 different notes. It's played with two curved wooden mallets and creates both a musical and percussion sound.

When you get to the factory, you'll find a very industrious environment. With the men working, and kids and dogs running all over, one group shapes the wood for the stands, another paints the stands red and gold, and the final guy makes the actual chimes.

The chimes are cast from brass, and then carved, filed, and shaped by hand to achieve the appropriate note. The craftsman holds the chime between his feet and either carves with a blade or files off the minute bits to change the tone.

We actually purchased a gong at the factory we visited and had it shipped home by our hotel. It remains in our front hall to this day.

From journal Rick's Guide to Magical Days in Bali

The local balineese stle dance is called Gamelan

Get in contact with the Ubud tourist center to obtain a comprehensive list of nightly performances. The cost is just 7000 R. We saw the 'Legong' dance, wich was very colorful and authentic. Masks are used in this dance and drums and other instruments. In spite of the fact that this dance is performed for tourists, it is really a true active part of the balineese culture. It is a real treat to behold and the music is great, too. Good family entertainment. We got a tape of the music at a local bookstore. Great memories surround the music when I here it now. Bring your video camera, too. They are permitted.

From journal Artist you'll love Ubud

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