Kecak

Kecak (also spelled kécak, ketjak and kechak; Balinese: ᬓᬾᬘᬓ᭄) or tari kecak (Indonesian pronunciation: [ˌt̪ari ˈket͡ʃak̚]), is a form of Balinese Hindu dance popularized in the 1930s. Since its creation, it has been performed primarily by men, with the first women's kecak group having started in 2006. The dance is based on the story of the Ramayana and is traditionally performed in temples and villages across Bali, Indonesia. Also known as the Ramayana monkey chant, the dance is performed by a circle of as many as 150 performers wearing checked cloths around their waists, percussively chanting "chak", and moving their hands and arms. The performance depicts a battle of the Ramayana, in which the monkey-like Vanaras, led by Hanuman, help Prince Rama fight the evil King Ravana. Kecak has roots in sanghyang, a trance-inducing exorcism dance.