Gerebeg Desa

The so called Gerebeg Desa in Bali is an exorcism rite dedicated to maintaining the sanctity of the village on sacred day of the sixth month according to the Balinese calender. It is held by the villagers at the point of time when the evil influences that violate the sanctity of the village reach its climax. During the rite, various sacred masks such as barong boar, tiger, barong landung, and other sacred images believed to be guardian spirits of the village are brought in procession to dance into the village in quest of celestial assistance to neutralize against evil influences.