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

24,059 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  2. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this web site before but after going through some of the articles I realized it’s
    new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly happy
    토토사이트

  3. Do you have an unwanted car that is taking up space on your property? Carremovals.co.nz offers free Takanini car wreckers services of your old unwanted & broken cars with a free pick up service all around New Zealand. We can pay South Auckland top Cash For Cars for your used or old vehicle. Our Cash For Cars West Auckland and free car wreckers service is available throughout the greater Auckland region. Get in touch as we can offer alternative services for you!

  6. Clara Smith has a Master’s in Business Studies and is a subject matter expert at MyAssignmenthelp.com, one of the top-ranked buy college essay websites in the US. He also assists students with all types of essay assignments and resolves all academic queries. Apart from teaching, James also loves to cook, play cricket, and go on long walks with her lab, Goldie.

    https://dailygram.com/index.php/blog/825577/7-tricks-to-keep-in-mind-to-find-the-best-essay-writing-companies-in-the-us/

  9. INDO11 merupakan situs judi online terpercaya uang asli resmi dan terlengkap se-Indonesia. Kami menyediakan beragam jenis permainan judi yang bisa anda nikmati setiap harinya 7×24 Jam nonstop, seperti sportsbook, casino, game slot, slot online , poker, togel, tembak ikan dan adu ayam.

  10. This is a really good read for me.Must agree that you are one of the coolest blogger I ever saw Hey buddy, I must say you have written a great article. The way you have described everything is phenomenal. Thanks for sharing it. If you have time, please visit my site. 바카라사이트

  12. A Plesant Day! This is a good way to stay away from stress and boredom and lead an active and fit life.
    Everyone likes it when people get together and share their opinions. Good blog, keep it up! 토토

  13. Your post has really helped me a lot. I live in a different country than you, but I believe it will help a lot in my country. 토토사이트 If possible, please visit my website as well. Thank you.

  14. Nice to be visiting your blog once more, it has been months for me. Well this article that ive been waited for therefore long. i want this article to finish my assignment within the faculty, and 먹튀검증 has same topic together with your article. Thanks, nice share.

  15. On a daily basis, millions of users are using HP products for printing facilities. HP products are the best quality products that are performing excellently. I want to enjoy the wireless printing services, so I have chosen HP wireless printer. I don’t have full knowledge for hp wireless printer setup procedure. I don’t have much experience to set up HP wireless printer. So anyone can recommend the easy tips to set up HP wireless printer

  18. Thank you for the great article you have made. It is actually an entertainment account that. Look forward to more fun from you! By the way, how can we communicate gd lotto ?

  19. Dinamika Informatika adalah Perusahaan yang berdiri sejak tahun 2004.Spesialisasi kami wms Inventory accuracy, Stokopname, dan tracking : Warehouse, Shopfloor, Asset, dll

  29. A decent blog dependably concocts new and energizing data and keeping in mind that understanding I have feel that this blog is truly have each one of those quality that qualify a blog to be a one. 안전놀이터

  30. This is really too a very great publishing all of us critically skilled searching via. It’s not even close to every day we now have danger to look at something. 사설토토

  31. This particular truly actually an excellent set up which i actually truly loved checking out. It’s not always normal which i range from the choice to determine a particular point. 먹튀검증

  32. Two full thumbs up for this magneficent article of yours. I’ve truly delighted in perusing this article today and I figure this may be outstanding amongst other article that I’ve perused yet. If it’s not too much trouble keep this work going ahead in a similar quality. 메이저사이트

  33. That’s the reason it is best that you ought to appropriate investigation prior to composing. It is possible to create much better publish by doing this. 꽁머니

  34. You can need to read the actual text carefully and essay rewrite it in your own voice. Then, check your work and further modify it as and when necessary to make sure the text is clear. See that the work is paraphrased properly to avoid plagiarism. This way, you won’t have to buy a homework help in case you need help urgently. 

  36. Delivering an impeccable persuasive essay may not be one of your strong suits. Hence, in this article, we have mentioned certain outstanding strategies that would enable you to nail your persuasive essays and intrigue the readers from the beginning like a pro.
    essay assignment help

  38. kali ini aku akan me-review produk Emina Micellar Water Drop Cleanser, Selain itu aku juga akan sedikit mengulas tentang manfaat dari Micellar Water ini. Sehingga kita jadi tahu alasan kenapa Emina menggunakan kandungan Micellar Water dan alasan kalian dapat mempertimbangan skincare satu ini menjadi bagian perawatan wajah kalian.

  42. در دنیای امروز با گسترش روزافزون شهرها و مشکلات ناشی از آن، اغلب افراد برای کسب و کار خود از اینترنت استفاده می‌کنند. راحتی سفارش خدمات و خرید و صرفه جویی در وقت , مشتری مداری منحصر به‌فرد , دسترسی به انواع بیشتری از کالاها و خدمات با قیمت مناسب و غیره عمده دلایل افزایش روز افزون تمایل به خرید اینترنتی می باشد.
    https://3sottamir.ir/

  43. Great post! I am really inspired from archive of post. Looking forward to read more. Thank you for your effort you’re a great author. Please give back the favor and visit

    Website: 바카라사이트

Leave a Reply

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