by

Cambodia Dance

People in Cambodia use dance to show the divine power, celebrate the social events, and create laughter in daily life. Cambodian dance can be divided into three different categories: Khmer Classical Dance, Folk Dance, and Vernacular Dance.

Khmer Classical Dance:

This form of dance is also known by a name in English called “Royal Ballet of Cambodia”, and it is listed in UNESCO’s Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2008. This dance was performed only for royalty meaning  the “dances of royal wealth”.

Khmer classical dance is believed to derive from Indian court dance, which traces its origins to the apsaras(see pic1) of Hindu mythology, heavenly female nymphs who were born to dance for the gods. The traditions of Thailand and Java (in Indonesia) also influenced the music and dance of Cambodia.

Depiction of apsaras dancing, Temple Bayon, 12th century, in the city of Angkor Thom

Pic1: Depiction of apsaras dancing, Temple Bayon, 12th century, in the city of Angkor Thom

Over the history of Cambodia, role of Royal Palace’s dancers have become symbols of the King’s prestige. After the signing of the 1863 Protectorate Treaty, the French, who among many other things controlled the country’s finances, tried to reduce the number of palace dancers in order to lessen the King’s prestige. In the 1930s, the French subsidized the private troupe of Princess Wongat Say Sangvann, which performed for tourists, calling it the “one and only true” troupe. But after King Norodom Sihanouk acceded to the throne in 1941, his mother Queen Sisowath Kossamak found ways to reestablish the royal troupe’s ascendancy. In support of her son, Queen Kossamak transformed performances so that the royal troupe could best serve Cambodia’s image nationally and abroad. She shortened the length of the dance programs, had pure dance pieces followed by dramatic or comic works, and added musical interludes.

However, the tradition of dance, last for over a millennium, was almost lost in the Cambodian genocide, when the Khmer Rouge targeted those involved in the dance and “imposed a massive cultural forgetting”. Khmer classical dance suffered a huge blow during the Khmer Rouge regime when many dancers were killed because classical dance was thought as of an aristocratic institution. Although 90 percent of all Cambodian classical artists perished between 1975 and 1979 after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, those who did survive wandered out from hiding, found one another, and formed “colonies” in order to revive their sacred traditions.*

*(Reference: Earth in Flower – The Divine Mystery of the Cambodian Dance Drama by Paul Cravath)

Khmer classical dancers use silent movements and gestures to tell a story. Dancers do not speak or sing; they dance with a slight smile and never open their mouths.(see pic2) Khmer classical dance can be compared to French ballet in that it requires years of practice and stretching at a young age so the limbs become very flexible.

silent movement

Pic 2:silent movement

In classical Cambodian dance, women, dressed in brightly colored costumes with elaborate headdresses (also see pic2), perform slow, graceful movements accompanied by a percussive ensemble known as the pinpeat. Pinpeat orchestras include drums, gongs, and bamboo xylophones. (see pic3)

Pinpeat orchestras

Pic3: Pinpeat orchestras

The way Khmer classical dance communicate with audience is very complicated. Different position of the arm and the position of the hand relative to the arm can also express different meaning. Besides hand gestures are gestures which are more specific to their meaning, such as that which is used to represent laughing or flying. These other gestures are performed in different manners depending on which type of character is played.

In addition to the renowned graceful hand gesture(see pic4) and stunning costumes, the Khmer Classical Dance, has been closely associated with the Khmer court for over one thousand years. Performances would traditionally accompany royal ceremonies and observances such as coronations, marriages, funerals or Khmer holidays. This art form is highly cherished by many Cambodians.

Pic4: hand gesture of Khmer Classical Dance

Pic4: hand gesture of Khmer Classical Dance

Infused with a sacred and symbolic role, the dance embodies the traditional values of refinement, respect and spirituality. Its repertory perpetuates the legends associated with the origins of the Khmer people. Consequently, Cambodians have long esteemed this tradition as the emblem of Khmer culture. Four distinct character types exist in the classical repertory: Neang (woman), Neayrong ( man), Yeak (giant), and Sva (monkey). Each possesses distinctive colours, costumes, makeup and masks. An orchestra accompanies the dance, and a female chorus provides a running commentary on the plot, highlighting the emotions mimed by the dancers, who were considered the kings’ messengers to the gods and to the ancestors.

Classical Cambodian Ballet: Apsara

Folk dance:

Folk dances play a role of performing art to entertain the audience. Khmer folk are fast-paced, and the movements and gestures are not as stylized as Khmer classical dance. Folk dances mostly are about love or the story about animals. The dancers wear costumes that portray ordinary people character, such as farmers, peasants, and tribe leaders. The elements of folk dance diversify profoundly by different area and local cultures. The most famous of all, Robam Trot, is mainly performed during the Cambodian New Year. The Dance got its history along a legend about a hunter and deer.

Vernacular dance:

In Cambodia, vernacular dance (or social dance) is the dance performed at social gatherings. Some of these dances are heavily influenced by the traditional dances of Laos. But rom kbach, for example, take heavily from the classical dance of the royal court. Rom kbach is a simple dance which uses hand gesture similar to that of classical dance and rom kbach song also utilize the melodies of classical dance songs and combine them with traditional Khmer and Western instruments.

Other social dances from around the world have had an impact on Cambodian social cultures include the Cha-Cha,Bolero, and the Madison. Such dances are often performed at Cambodian wedding receptions and banquets.

Yosuke and Tan-Chi

24,042 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  13. Canon is one of the primitive choices of the users when it comes to opting for a perfect printing option The ij.start.canon is well-known for delivering high-quality printing outputs.

  17. Great! For software testing, a thorough grasp of systems is essential. Item testing designs must evolve in tandem with programming organization designs. For a lengthy period of time, sticking to a single method of surveying the thing will not work. Continue to read- Software Testing Training in Nashik

  19. Your article has answered the question I was wondering about! I would like to write a thesis on this subject, but I would like you to give your opinion once 😀 safetoto

  20. AMDBET selaku slot online terkini 2022. Situs slot online duit asli umumnya menawarkan permainan judi online yang lain yang tidak bertekuk lutut menarik, macam-macam permainan judi online yang lain hendak saya bahas terlihat bagian sesudah itu.

  21. Hello ! I am the one who writes posts on these topics majorsite I would like to write an article based on your article. When can I ask for a review?

  22. I came to this site with the introduction of a friend around me and I was very impressed when I found your writing. I’ll come back often after bookmarking! bitcoincasino

  24. Of course, your article is good enough, majorsite but I thought it would be much better to see professional photos and videos together. There are articles and photos on these topics on my homepage, so please visit and share your opinions.

  25. My eyes are so hot that the place of love can’t be, and I hear the treasure. The ice that blooms is powerful. It is sending. Behold, the people of the military camp and the ideal bear blood, and the water desert. Is the bird big enough to show off, and the Shakyamuni to hold onto and stay with the organ? What blooms beautiful road? Life is because they have sharp or shiny ideals. Genji is brave, and this is what they are in heaven. Things are for the sake of the eyes, the power is the same, and the ideal is the golden age. For the sake of it, where is the play on the branches in the snowy mountains, and where are all things? Because it’s hot, your shy embrace and remarkably this is the golden age. It will exert itself in the bosom to save.정품미프진

  28. Phone Wiki is a manual for office telephone frameworks and data about phone frameworks utilized in associations and workplaces. In the event that you want to be familiar with Telephone Systems or need client guides for phone frameworks as well as investigating phone frameworks then you have tracked down an extraordinary wellspring of data.Youtube thumbnail

  32. VenuePro is made up of 14 comprehensive modules that deliver all aspects of effective venue and event management. Along with consulting with industry experts and global venue owners, VenuePro is constantly under further development. Venue Management Software Uk

  33. Venuepro is made up of 14 comprehensive modules that deliver all aspects of event and venue management. Venuepro is constantly under further development by consulting with industry experts and global venue and space owners. venue management systems uk

  35. TBI Mauritius can assist you in company formation in Mauritius and guide you all along the way from business registration, explaining the different type of offshore companies in Mauritius, buying and setting up your workspace to hiring talented professionals and meeting the legalities with robustness and accuracy. Setting Up A Company In Mauritius

  39. Appropriate tips to seek out Cash app bank name:
    The Cash App Bank Name is critical, and consumers should know where to look for it. They can start by heading to their phone’s cash app account and then scrolling down to finish the remainder of the process. The name of the cash app bank will now appear just beneath the routing number. The use of cash app accounts necessitates the inclusion of this feature.
    https://www.7qasearch.net/blog/what-is-cash-app-bank-name/

  40. “Combined with the rise of TikTok, brand safety concerns, and a shift in social media user behaviour, there’s a perfect storm heading straight for Meta’s ad revenues. Even so, it’s clear that advertisers are still turning to Facebook and Instagram to reach their wide audiences.” 카지노 커뮤니티

  41. I discovered your site ideal for me. It consists of wonderful and useful posts. I’ve read many of them and also got so much from them. In my experience, you do the truly amazing.Truly i’m impressed out of this publish 토닥이

  43. Himalayan outback is one of the best fishing trekking and traveling companies in Chandigarh. The focus of this company from the start has been to provide the best experience and world-class service to our guests; to ensure that our employees get the proper training that will enable them to perform their tasks to the best of their ability and provide them with career growth paths, and lastly; plan your trip with us for more trip and
    Trekking in Uttrakhand contact us

  44. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find so many useful info here in the post, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing.  White Hat Seo

  46. Of course, your article is good enough, casino online but I thought it would be much better to see professional photos and videos together. There are articles and photos on these topics on my homepage, so please visit and share your opinions.

  47. As I am looking at your writing, casinosite I regret being unable to do outdoor activities due to Corona 19, and I miss my old daily life. If you also miss the daily life of those days, would you please visit my site once? My site is a site where I post about photos and daily life when I was free.

  48. I’m writing on this topic these days, majorsite, but I have stopped writing because there is no reference material. Then I accidentally found your article. I can refer to a variety of materials, so I think the work I was preparing will work! Thank you for your efforts.

  49. Your article has answered the question I was wondering about! I would like to write a thesis on this subject, but I would like you to give your opinion once 😀 casinocommunity

  50. It’s really great. Thank you for providing a quality article. There is something you might be interested in. Do you know bitcoincasino ? If you have more questions, please come to my site and check it out!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *