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Trance and dance in Bali

A performance of the kris dance, a Balinese ceremonial dance which dramatizes the never-ending struggle between the witch and the dragon--the death-dealing and the life-protecting--as it is given in the village of Pagoetan in 1937-1939. Dancers go into violent trance seizures and turn their krisses (daggers) against their breasts without injury. Consciousness is restored with incense and holy water. Balinese music…

Public domain — the Library of Congress knows of no copyright restrictions for this film. Source: Library of Congress, National Screening Room · archive record. Video streams straight from the archive; PatchTV does not host or relay it.