There are several two person masks and costumes in the form of animals in Bali called Barong that are used in exorcistic rituals and celebrations of renewal. The most famous and popular of these is the Barong Ket: a mythical dragon/lion with human hair beard who has been won over from the chthonic world to serve as a protector of mankind. In Balinese temples of the dead and during many temple ceremonies, the Barong is displayed together with Rangda – a horrific Pamurtian figure associated with Kali/Durga – and with her similarly fierce looking daughter, Rarung. These three figures are complementary and and are worshipped together as protectors of the village. In performances, however, the Barong Ket is frequently pitted against Rangda and her daughter: a strategy that serves to empower all three masks. The most frequently used narrative used for this purpose is that of Calonarang, in which the Widow Witch of Girah (represented by Rangda) lays siege to the Balinese countryside, accompanied by young women who have been turned into terrifying demons (leyaks). The actor (always a man) playing Rangda enters into a deep trance and is able to withstand the stabbing of the King's men and set the King's followers against each other, also in a trance delirium that both enrages and protects against harm. Though she seems to represent evil, Rangda's appearances are in fact designed to lessen the power of those in the audience who may practice black magic.

While Calonarang troupes still perform in Bali for exorcistic purposes, non-consecrated masks are also used in touristic "Barong and Kris Shows" in which the trance is usually feigned. In these instances, the same set of characters are generally used to present a tale spun off from the Mahabharata.