Mask of Jero Luh, Barong Landung giant figure

Often said to be of Chinese descent, Jero Luh is easily recognized by her white or yellow complexion, narrow slanted eyes, enigmatic smile, high forehead and large ears. A large golden usna, a sign of wisdom, is seen at the center of her forehead. She always appears with her black-faced husband, Jero Gede. As indicated by the name (landung means tall), the figures tower above average heights. This is achieved by making a structure from woven bamboo that is worn upon the shoulders of the dancers who remain hidden below the outer clothing of these enormous puppets.

Barong Landung is usually performed at the end of the Galungan/Kuningan Festival, which occurs every 210 days. At this time, these giants exit and wander around the streets with musicians stopping periodically to engage in an exchange of an ancient and often bawdy form of poetry belonging to the pantun tradition and consists of four quatrains. Whirling and miming, their naughty lyrics and exaggerated antics delight successive audiences. Notably, the roots of the dance can be traced back to fertility rituals.