Joint Stamp Issue

INDONESIA - CHINA

13 April 2007

Indonesia-China Joint Stamp series is issued to commemorate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The series depicts two dances representing both cultures, barong dance from Indonesia and Dragon Dance from China.

Barong Dance, like most of other Balinese dances, is a blend of myth an history. Being a story telling dance showing the eternal fight between good and evil, barong dance is probably the most popular dance in Bali. The story goes that Rangda, the mother of Erlangga, the king of Bali in the 10th century, was condemned by Erlangga's father because she practiced black magic. After became a widow, she summoned all the evil spirits in the jungle, the leaks and the demons, to come after Erlangga. Rangda and her evil troops were too strong that Erlangga  had to ask Barong for help. Rangda casted a spell that made Erlangga's soldier all wanted to kill themselves, pointing their poisoned keris (sword) into their own stomach and chest. Barong casted a spell that turned their body resistant to the sharp keris. at the end, barong won, and Rangda ran away. If Rangda's spell is too strong, a weak soldier may not be able to resist it, even with the help of Barong. The performer may end up hurting himself with his own keris.

Dragon Dance is a form of traditional dance in which a team of skilled performers carries the Chinese dragon on poles assembled by joining the series of  hoops on each section and attaching the ornamental head and tail pieces at the ends. The movements in a performance symbolise historical roles of dragons who are believed to bring good luck to people, reflected in their qualities that include great power, dignity, fertility, wisdom and auspiciousness. The dance originated from Han Dynasty (180-230 AD). It is believed to have begun as part of the farming and harvest culture, also with origins as a method of healing and preventing sickness.