How can a mythic creature be brought to life?
Creatures like the unicorn and griffin spring from the human imagination to populate myths and legends. And sometimes people can interact with mythic animals when they come to life as part of a play or performance. The hulking, shaggy Barong of Bali, for instance, appears in ritual dramas, lumbering through the crowds, engaging audience members directly and inviting them to take an active part in the myth-making. As villagers participate in Barong’s fight against the forces of chaos in the performance, they are assured that calm has been restored and that all is right in the world. Barong Ket King of the spirits, leader of the forces of good, Barong Ket is like an oversized village guardian for many residents of the island of Bali, Indonesia. When the witch Rangda creates chaos, the lionlike Barong Ket comes to the rescue, fighting off the villains with a ferocious display that brings back a balance between good and evil. But Barong Ket is also mischievous, often teasing and joking wit
