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

22,086 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  1. http://www.omkaliastrologer.com/

    Pandit Gowri is famous Indian Astrologer in Perth & best astrologer in Sydney, Melbourne Australia. Astrology can solve Love Problems, Couple disputes, blackmagic, palm reading, get love back,psychic reading, health problems

  5. QQBET555 sebagai ejen perjudian slot yang dipercayai. Salah satunya ialah perkhidmatan terbaik dan jaminan pembayaran penuh. QQBET555 berada di sini sebagai alternatif untuk bermain perjudian slot dalam talian menggunakan wang sebenar, dengan banyak variasi permainan.

    https://www.dorianfurtuna.com

  6. Hannukah is the first December festive, which always starts from the 25th day of Kislev. In 2021 this festival will celebrate from the Sunset of 28 November to the nightfall of 6 December. As part of the festival, candles are lit on a candelabrum with the nine branches usually known as a menorah or sometimes hanukkiah.
    December Global Holidays

  8. amelin.us adalah sebuah blog yang berisi tekno informasi,tips,trik. Blog ini menutamakn informasi dalam dunia teknologi saat ini.

  10. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. ACOMPANHANTES SP

  12. Students who are looking for assignment help online in Canada should definitely reach out to great assignmenthelp.com. I was able to achieve incredible marks with their support. And to my surprise, the professionals were greatly experienced, yet they were so humble and friendly while chatting with me. A big thumbs up to the entire team!

  14. I was looking for another article by chance and found your article 카지노게임사이트 I am writing on this topic, so I think it will help a lot. I leave my blog address below. Please visit once.

  21. Nursing assignment help becomes necessary to ensure that your assignments are completed to the standards set by your instructors. you need to select a very competitive nursing assignment help service. There is no need to explore numerous websites to ensure that you are getting value for your money. We invite you to great assignment help for all support at the best price.

  24. First of all, thank you for your post. 온라인바카라사이트 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 ^^

  25. I’ve been looking for photos and articles on this topic over the past few days due to a school assignment, 바카라게임사이트 and I’m really happy to find a post with the material I was looking for! I bookmark and will come often! Thanks 😀

  30. Lk21 Nonton Film dan Series Streaming Movie Layarkaca21 Dunia21 Bioskop Cinema21 Box Office Subtitle Indonesia Gratis Online Download – LK21 – Layarkaca21

  32. بیشتر پروژه‌های مبنی بر ارز دیجیتال، سرمایه و منابع مالی موردنیاز برای فعالیت را از سرور مخصوص ترید طریق عرضه اولیه توکن خود تأمین می‌کنند، اما سرمایه‌گذاران احتمالی نیز باید از سودده بودن ارز دیجیتال اطمینان حاصل کنند تا در آن سرمایه‌گذاری کنند. روش‌های زیادی برای بررسی و ارزیابی آینده توکن‌ها وجود دارد که هارد کپ و سافت کپ دو مورد از آن‌ها هستند. در ادامه بیشتر با این دو فاکتور مهم آشنا می‌شوید.

  34. در این پروژه‌ها، با توجه به صلاحدید توسعه‌دهندگان، در بازه‌های زمانی مشخص یا در آموزش ارزدیجیتال پی اعمال تغییرات در بلاک چین، مقداری از عرضه در گردش توکن از بین برده شده یا به‌اصطلاح سوزانده می‌شود تا ارز دیجیتال پروژه، ارزش خود را حفظ کند.

  37. buy counterfeit money, buy drivers license and other documents with jack home, your number one fake bills supplier of all times.

  38. Students’ lives are burdened by the mountains of variable errands. These students are expected to accomplish their required assignments on the assigned date. But with variable other academic responsibilities, it becomes highly difficult to submit the following work on the mentioned deadline. Hiring a team of research paper writing help can assure steady and effective paper writing that can take a lot of your pressure.

  40. https://www.pricemyac.com/ac-repair-3/
    We are a Air Conditioner Repair company servicing Phoenix, Tempe & Surrounding Areas. Since years, residents have entrusted us. We also provide emergency air conditioning repair at cost effective rate! We guarantee that our work is of the highest quality, and there is a warranty on parts and labor at PriceMyAC. Call us if you are looking for air conditioning repair or service.

  43. Terrazzo is essentially the control over the aggregate’s exposure along with the color difference between the base & aggregates. It comes in a wide range of finishes & our most popular is the epoxy terrazzo.

    terrazzo flooring dubai

  45. 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

  46. Duniafilm21 adalah Situs Nonton Film Bioskop Online Streaming Gratis Terlengkap dan Terbaru Subtitle Indonesia. Tonton streaming tanpa buffer di SemiBos21.

  47. “Our Keyword services are of premium
    quality, reasonably priced and hence affordable to everyone. Starting with the initial drafting phase, through evolution process of your assignment work, we provide you with 24×7 support.”

  48. You will avail the most elite of assignments composed after meticulous research and also save a ton of time by seeking Assignment Expert from our highly experienced and knowledgeable experts who are PhD holders in their respective subjects

  49. My eyes are so hot that the place of love can’t be, and I hear the treasure. The ice that blooms is powerful. 

  50. My eyes are so hot that the place of love can’t be, and I hear the treasure. The ice that blooms is powerful. 

Leave a Reply

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