The Fire Dance, is danced by the boys and the men of the village. It is essentially an age old story as enacted as a war between the “Good Monkeys” and the “Bad Monkeys”, somewhat similar in concept to a Morality Play, teaching all the morals of better human behavior. And in some manner teaching “Be careful what you wish for”, as the Bad Monkey overcomes the Good Monkey, however is then extremely remorseful for his behavoir and repents, as, we find out, the Good Monkey is actually the brother of the Bad Monkey. In following his lust for power, the Bad Monkey has killed his own brother.

Fire Dance Bad Monkey (Above) and Good Monkey (Below)

Children are taught this and other ceremonial dances as they grow into adults, continuing the traditions of this very culturally rich area.

On arrival, we were greeted by the village boys, dressed in their village sarongs, each holding a lit torch. We were paraded to the ceremonial dance area surrounded by the village boys and their torches.

Village Boy Illuminating the Cerimony with a Fire torch

The dance began including the men and boys, all dressed in their village sarongs and holding fire torches for illumination. The Good Monkey and the Bad Monkey each had a group of followers and through movement and chanting enacted the story through to the end, including fire balls that were thrown between the two sides.

Fire Dance: Fire Balls

Overall, it was a thrilling event to be well remembered, and an honor to have this village provide us this private showing of one of their cultural dances.