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

26,842 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  2. Nice blog. Thanks For Share Informative blog.
    Usually I never comment on blogs but your article is so convincing that I never stop myself to say something about it. You’re doing a great job Man, Keep it up Contact us for espi visa consultants in vadodara.

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

  7. I’ve been troubled for several days with this topic. safetoto, But by chance looking at your post solved my problem! I will leave my blog, so when would you like to visit it?

  8. I am very impressed with your writing totosite I couldn’t think of this, but it’s amazing! I wrote several posts similar to this one, but please come and see!

  9. Can I Load Cash App Card At Walmart, How Do I Open A Card At Walmart?
    First, you need to enable Cash on your phone. Then, click on the section that will appear on the home screen. Click on Add Additional Budget. Can I Load Cash App Card At Walmart ,Enter the amount in the space you want to transfer and then click the “$ Add” tab. To verify your identity, see your Touch ID. Because the certification will be complete, the exchange will take place, and you will receive a confirmation on the cash application screen. If you want to get more help you can visit our website.

  12. Jonathan Vanantwerpen has established multiple communities that aim to change people’s perspectives about religion and life in a positive manner. After joining SSRC in 2004, Vanantwerpen founded various projects and successfully executed them, including the Teagle Foundation, Ford Foundation.

    Jonathan VanAntwerpen

  13. You get the privilege of availing the guidance and support of the best domain specialists from our huge pool of experts by placing an order with COMMERCIAL LAW ASSIGNMENT HELP through a very simple and a quick process. Once you have made the payment, you just need to relax while we do an excellent assignment for you.

  14. Looking at this article, I miss the time when I didn’t wear a mask. baccarat online Hopefully this corona will end soon. My blog is a blog that mainly posts pictures of daily life before Corona and landscapes at that time. If you want to remember that time again, please visit us.

  15. 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! totosite

  16. 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! slotsite

  17. Hey there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently.
    카지노

  19. From some point on, I am preparing to build my site while browsing various sites. It is now somewhat completed. If you are interested, please come to play with.
    안전놀이터

  21. Nice write-up,
    I am an enormous believer in commenting on blogs to help the blog
    writers know that they’ve added something worthwhile to the world huge net.

    Also visit my web site …바카라사이트

  22. Nice thanks for sharing informative post like this keep posting if like more details visit my website linkhttps://salesforcemasters.in/

  23. I found this blog very informative. Thanks for sharing such useful information. ESPI is committed to helping its clients achieve their goals by offering comprehensive support services. Visa Consultants ESPI Vadodara has a dedicated team of professionals.

  24. I found this blog very informative. Thanks for sharing such useful information. We are Sensinova, Designed and manufactured with international standards and cutting-edge technology, motion sensors, sensor switches and other sensor-based solutions by Sensinova are deployed across 8 countries.

  26. Moral Hacking is regularly alluded to as the method involved with infiltrating one’s own PC/s or PCs to which one has official consent to do as such as to decide whether weaknesses exist and to attempt preventive, restorative, and defensive countermeasures before a genuine trade-off to the framework happens.
    Ethical Hacking Course in Pune

  30. It comes less than a fortnight after the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its highest emergency alert following a worldwide surge in cases.

  37. When I read an article on this topic, casinocommunity the first thought was profound and difficult, and I wondered if others could understand.. My site has a discussion board for articles and photos similar to this topic. Could you please visit me when you have time to discuss this topic?

  38. I’ve been troubled for several days with this topic. casino online, But by chance looking at your post solved my problem! I will leave my blog, so when would you like to visit it?

  40. I’ve been troubled for several days with this topic. bitcoincasino, But by chance looking at your post solved my problem! I will leave my blog, so when would you like to visit it?

  41. nonton film full movie Gratis download movie Situs nonton film online gratis Streaming film bioskop Film Horor Terbaru 2017 Film Romantis Terbaru 2017 Nonton drama korea terbaru

  43. 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.

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

  45. It’s the same topic , but I was quite surprised to see the opinions I didn’t think of. My blog also has articles on these topics, so I look forward to your visit. slotsite

  46. Of course, your article is good enough, casinosite 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. I’ve been troubled for several days with this topic. baccarat online, But by chance looking at your post solved my problem! I will leave my blog, so when would you like to visit it?

  48. Thanks for such a fantastic blog. Where else could anyone get that kind of info written in such a perfect way? I have a presentation that I am presently writhing on, and I have been on the look out for such great information
    https://www.sportstotomen.com

Leave a Reply

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