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

23,710 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  8. GreaThank you so much for giving me a great website for blog comments .. Dropmylink is really great site and i have been using from 2 days and i know this from your blog. Appreciated
    메리트카지노

  9. Its an awesome post and is quite meaningful. Commenting on blogs related to your niche helps a lot. We would always be careful about what we write in our comments. I have seen many bloggers whose comments were marked as spam just because they they contained few words and were only left for backlink purposes.
    바카라사이트

  11. Linux is an open source and community- developed Unix- suchlike operating system that’s designed for mainframes, computers, waiters mobile bias, as well as bedded bias. It’s among the most popular operating systems that has support for nearly all major platforms for computers including x86, ARM, and SPARC.
    For More Visit: Linux Classes in Pune

  14. Jangan ragu lagi untuk segera bergabung bersama bandar Togel Online terbesar paling gampang dapat jackpot 10 juta 4d dengan modal sangat minim cukup IDR 10k saja bossku.

  16. Is it important to check the system requirements and the compatibility for the Dell 1130 Printer Setup?
    If your device is compatible with your Dell 1130 printer, then only it will form a successful connection. So, you are advised to properly check the system requirements and the compatibility for the Dell 1130 Printer Setup to be a success.
    Dell 1130 Printer

  19. Do want first night Experience in Rajasthan, pick Best Udaipur Escorts With Udaipur Agency sarakaur.com you just simple visit the website and book girl which one you like We offer all type girls like College girls Russian Desi bhabhi also provide Read more Click here :- Udaipur Escorts

  20. I read your blog its nice keep write ,My name is Amara William. I have been in the accounting industry for a good time now and work towards resolving all type of accounting issues at QB Error Support, especially associated with QuickBooks accounting software. I provide solutions to the errors that might be faced when using the QuickBooks software. So we available 24*7 hr don’t hesitate to call us .Our Contact no. +18445210490
    QuickBooks Error 1646

  21. Hello I am so delighted I located your blog, I really located you by mistake, while I was watching on google for something else, Anyways I am here now and could just like to say thank for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining website. Please do keep up the great work. Apple Ipad 102 2021 Price In Australia 2021

  23. The team of assignment writers have extensive familiarity with major digital resources like Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar. This enables them to glean the appropriate data and include appropriate citations into the major body paragraphs. So, put an end to questions such as “Who will handle my assignment and provide online instant assignment help solutions for me?” by getting in contact with us as soon as possible, providing your specifications, and placing an order for your paper. https://www.party.biz/blogs/97919/170422/who-can-solve-my-assignment-for-me-and-can-provide-online-assig

  24. NICE POST BRO KEEP IT UP
    What happens when users encounter Epson windows service disabled error?
    Epson printers are feature-enriched and are multi-faceted in their working and performance. It has caught the fancy of every printer user as it delivers brilliant output with bountiful other benefits. Therefore, Epson is the preferred printer brand over its contemporary printer brands. If you want to achieve remarkable printing and scanning facility of your Epson printer then there should not be any interruption or interference. There are many Epson printer users who get startled when they encounter an Epson windows service disabled error.
    LINK:- Epson windows service disabled error

  26. Search Machine optimization constitutes marketing ways similar as an Edu backlink that assists to enhance hunt results and runner rank. Backlinks are easy generalities to understand but they bear commitment and time. When people set up new locations, they’re anxious to witness growth by attracting callers to their point. This is the reason webmasters place a lot of emphasis on erecting backlinks through different ways. erecting an Edu backlink is among the strategies that help several spots dominate the hunt results. mp3 juice

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

  28. Online security is a major concern. Something not to be overlooked given the exponential spike in cyber assault events. Norton antivirus is the preferred choice for most about their online protection. If you need a proper tutorial about norton.com/setup process then read this guide till the end. So, let’s begin.With every subscription of Norton antivirus comes a product activation key. Without it, you cannot activate your Norton Antivirus Activation & Installation subscription and unlock the full security features of Norton antivirus. Here is how you can retrieve the Norton license activation code;

  29. An intriguing discussion may be worth comment. I’m sure you should write much more about this topic, may well be described as a taboo subject but generally folks are too little to chat on such topics. An additional. Cheers 사설토토사이트

  30. Do you know that you’ve done something really great? Not only did I gain new knowledge through you, but I also gained a very different realization. I’m so lucky to know your blog. 메이저사이트

  32. Nice post ever I just came across your blog. And just wanted to say that I really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Anyway, I’ll be subscribing to your feed. And hope you will post again soon. Thank you very much for the helpful information.
    hokabet คาสิโน

  35. A debt of gratitude is in order for offering this quality data to us. I truly delighted in perusing. Will without a doubt going to impart this URL to my companions.  Sell service

  41. On a conclusion notice, we can infer that. edu links hold high prospects for a point’s SEO exertion, but at the same time, carrying quality. edu links isn’t easy. tolerance, industriousness, and a slice of luck can bring all the grins you’re staying for. mp3 juice

  44. Je pense que c’est l’une des informations les plus importantes pour moi. Et je suis heureux de lire votre article. 안전카지노사이트 Mais je veux faire quelques remarques générales, Le style du site web est parfait, les articles sont vraiment excellents : D. Bon travail, santé

  45. 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!

  47. We additionally list Ahmedabad Escorts which are beautiful, stunning, easy, unbiased, and cozy in any position. Let us recognize your wishes and wishes, the Girls will get dressed to suit you and go along with you to any region or motive.

  48. Sudah hadir di Indonesia bandar togel online terbaik laetotoid.com yang akan membantu kamu dapat penghasilan berlimpah dengan modal sangat murah IDR 10k saja bossku.

Leave a Reply

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