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

20,756 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  4. Garmin GPS receiver showing 90 Deg South – the South PoleThe Geographic South Pole is marked by a stake in the ice alongside a small sign; these are repositioned each year in a ceremony on New Year’s Day to compensate for the movement of the ice. The sign records the respective dates that Roald Amundsen and Robert F. Scott reached the Pole, followed by a short quotation from each man, and gives the elevation as “9,301 FT.”.[5][6] A new marker stake is designed and fabricated each year by staff at the site.[4]The Ceremonial South Pole is an area set aside for photo opportunities at the South Pole Station. It is located some meters from the Geographic South Pole, and consists of a metallic sphere on a short barber pole, surrounded by the flags of the original Antarctic Treaty signatory states.카지노 솔루션

  6. 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 w

    agario

  7. Anywhere from $150- $500 depending on the size you’re looking for. You can find smaller deep freezers (3.8 cubic foot) for about $200, but the large deep freezers (7.2 cubic feet) are closer to $500.
    deep freezer price

  8. Wonderful submit, very informative. I ponder why the opposite experts of this sector do not realize this.
    You should proceed your writing.
    I am sure,you have a great readers’ base already!
    Jual Drumband

  10. Applikasi.co.id Merupakan situs yang kami bangun bertujuan untuk membagikan hal menarik dalam bidang teknologi, khususnya bagi para pengguna ponsel pintar, baik itu android, iOS, Windows dan lainnya

  21. Incredible post I should state and much obliged for the data. Instruction is unquestionably a sticky subject. Be that as it may, is still among the main themes of our opportunity. I value your post and anticipate more. 메이저저사이트

  24. KUDETABET98 Merupakan salah satu pendiri Situs Slot Gacor yang dimana situs tersebut memiliki banyak sekali jenis permainan yang ada di dalamya seperti Situs Slothoki777, livecasino, SBOBET, dan masih banyak lainnya. Bagi anda yang penasaran bisa langsung coba langsung hubungi cs kami yang siap melayani anda 24 jam setiap harinya tanpa batas.

  25. Intriguing theme for a blog. I have been looking the Internet for no particular reason and happened upon your site. Fantastic post. Much appreciated a ton for sharing your insight! It is extraordinary to see that a few people still invest an exertion into dealing with their sites. I’ll make certain to inquire again genuine soon. portfolio property management

  31. Nothing analyzes to Weber utilizing Genesis kind of barbecues. That is unquestionably the sort gas flame broils which have been that will consistently ensure that they convey an elite piece of down interim social media for business

  32. Kod serupa yang kelihatan menjana pesanan gelung tambahan hanya boleh diserahkan kepada negara tertentu. Ikon bertaburan ialah simbol yang tidak perlu disusun dengan cara yang sama seperti komposit menguntungkan biasa untuk diaktifkan. Biasanya, tiga atau lebih taburan berlabuh di mana-mana pada gelendong akan menjana bonus, biasanya putaran percuma tambahan, walaupun tidak selalu. Maklumat Lengkap kami https://ssrsi.org

  33. the sole member of the five-strong club of Virginia cities to miss out on the chance of hosting a casino resort. Opponents purportedly expressed concerns at the time that such a facility. 바카라사이트

  35. Boston agario private server game, agario unblocked at school server agario boston game
    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
    https://agario.boston
    we are living a world where technologies are everything we can’t even go far further from it.

  40. I have been looking for articles on these topics for a long time. baccaratsite I don’t know how grateful you are for posting on this topic. Thank you for the numerous articles on this site, I will subscribe to those links in my bookmarks and visit them often. Have a nice day

  41. 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! casino online

  42. First of all, thank you for your post. baccaratcommunity Your posts are neatly organized with the information I want, so there are plenty of resources to reference. I bookmark this site and will find your posts frequently in the future. Thanks again ^^

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

  46. After study several of the blogs with your website now, i truly much like your strategy for blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and will be checking back soon. Pls look at my internet site at the same time and make me aware if you agree.안전토토사이트

  47. Do you like the kind of articles related to If someone asks, they’ll say they like related articles like yours. I think the same thing. Related articles are you the best. 토토사이트추천

  48. I have been looking for articles on these topics for a long time. casinocommunity I don’t know how grateful you are for posting on this topic. Thank you for the numerous articles on this site, I will subscribe to those links in my bookmarks and visit them often. Have a nice day

Leave a Reply

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