What is the Sanghyang?

Sacred trance dance ritual believed to invoke spirits; performed to protect villages.

Where did the Sanghyang originate?

The Sanghyang originated in Indonesia (Bali) in the -1000s.

Dance History›Global Southeast Asian Court & Folk›Sanghyang

Global Southeast Asian Court & FolkSAN

Sanghyang

OriginIndonesia (Bali)

Era-1000–Present

History & Cultural Context

Sanghyang is a sacred Balinese trance dance of Indonesia, rooted in the belief that an unseen divine force — a hyang — enters the body of the entranced performer. It is performed strictly within Balinese religious ceremonies to cleanse, protect, and restore a community's spiritual balance, not as entertainment. Performers undergo ritual preparation before slipping into trance, and the tradition takes many forms: in Sanghyang Dedari, young pre-pubescent girls dance in a legong-like style, sometimes carried on men's shoulders; in Sanghyang Jaran, entranced boys "ride" coconut hobby-horses through fire; other versions have performers take on the movements of animals. The dance is carried by gamelan, suling (bamboo flute), and kendang (drums), underpinned by chanting choruses. Sanghyang remains a living part of Balinese spiritual life and one of the island's oldest ritual dance traditions.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanghyang

Sanghyang Music & Tempo

Drawn from 20 Sanghyang tracks in the LODance music library.

Example tracks at practice tempo

Sanghyang Dedari Angel of Blessing — Palawara119 BPM
Live Sanghyang Broadcast, Amed 3 — Jesse Paul Miller
Transes Sanghyang Dedari et Sanghyang Djaran — Anonymous Balinese field ensemble
Sang Hyang Dedari — Alam Dewata Band
Gonding Sanghyang: Prebangse Tjak — Traditional Balinese chorus
Sanghyang Dedari (Instrumental) — Adhimaruti

Browse & play all 20 Sanghyangtracks in the Music Library →

What to Wear

Attire guidance for Sanghyang and other Global Southeast Asian Court & Folk dances. Each card below is sized to the moment — class, practice, social, or competition — because the wardrobe shifts as the stakes do.

Reading the cards

Class — group instruction; comfort first.

Practice — rehearsal; dress like the dance.

Social — public dance floor; smart casual to formal.

Competition — judged events; rule-bound costume.

In Class

Comfortable practice wear. Some traditions emphasize bare feet and specific hand positioning that requires unencumbered arms.

Social Dancing

Traditional attire specific to each culture's dance tradition for performances and cultural events.

Competition

Full traditional costume — Thai classical: ornate gold headdress and fitted costume; Balinese: elaborate wrapped fabrics and gold accessories.

Shoes

Traditionally barefoot across most Southeast Asian classical and folk forms. The connection to earth and precise foot placement are integral to the art forms.

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In Practice

Most forms practice barefoot from day one — the foot's contact with the floor is part of the technique, not removable equipment.

Price Range

Budget: Loose practice clothing from existing wardrobe; no shoes needed.
Mid: Practice-grade traditional pieces $100–400.
Premium: Full court-tradition costumes (Thai classical, Balinese, Javanese) $1,000–6,000+ depending on goldwork and accessories.

Quick Tips

•Suede-soled shoes allow controlled sliding and pivoting — essential for most partner dances.
•Avoid rubber soles on dance floors; they grip too much and can cause knee injuries.
•Bring a separate pair of clean shoes for the dance floor to keep it in good condition.

Evolution of Dance Attire →Shop the look · Gear Guide →

Sources & Further Reading

Cultural & Historical Context

Sanghyang emerged from Indonesia (Bali) during the -1000s—present day. Understanding the cultural roots, musical traditions, and social circumstances of this era enriches appreciation for the dance's characteristics and significance.

Primary Source Documents

The Library of Dance contains public-domain primary sources for dance history. Copyrighted modern syllabi are indexed with purchase links to their respective copyright owners. Search by dance name or codifier to discover primary source documents.

Last reviewed: August 2026 — This dance profile synthesizes historical research, cultural documentation, and contemporary practice knowledge to provide authoritative context.

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