Located in the village of Batuan that was once a center for high caste Brahman families of Siwa and Buddhist sects, the area’s main temple was constructed on what was considered a cursed site for centuries, the Palace of the Balinese demon giant, Jero Gede Mecaling who resided there until he was driven away to Nusa Penida. 

The demon, Jero Gede Mecaling, was a Tusked Giant. He entered South Bali in the form of a Barong. His followers went ahead creating a lot of havoc and destruction. The people grew alarmed and consulted a priest who told them they must create another Barong like Jero Gede Mecaling; who alone would have the power to get rid of the demon. So they made a big Barong and succeeded in frightening the giant back to Nusa. Since then, the Barong has been used for driving away illness and evil spirits.

This folktale is the origin of the Barong Landung (”tall” Barong), a name given to two giant puppets, a male and a female who are believed to have the power to keep away the harmful influences during times of distress. These puppets are considered sacred and, like the other Barongs are kept in a special bale in the temple. Together they enact a comic opera sung in Balinese. Jero Gede, the male puppet, is a burly, black giant with puffed cheeks and ruby red lips, resembling the legendary Tusked Giant of Nusa Penida. His consort, Jero Luh, dressed all in white, has a protruding forehead and chin, and a loud, husky voice (that of a man) that she doesn’t hesitate to use to its fullest extent.

In many villages of South Bali, puppets with smaller masks, which play the parts of princes and princesses, accompany the enormous couple. Often. Jero Gede and Jero Luh act as clowns, rocking about in the most unpredictable fashion to the low resonant drums and shimmering flute.