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

23,727 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  1. Menjadi Miliader Bermain Game slot online 5000 Dengan Menggunakan Pulsa. Bermain game slot online saat ini sudah menjadi primadona paling terbaik di kalangan penjudi online yang ada di seluruh dunia.

  2. Does hp printer offline support offer reliable round-the-clock services?
    Yes, hp printer offline support offers reliable round-the-clock services to its valued customers. It is a customer-friendly public platform as it offers round-the-clock services to its customers. Its main aim is to develop a strong and honest relationship with its customers. They follow superior quality standards and offer their customers optimum solutions for all kinds of HP printer problems.
    https://printersofflines.com/hp-printer-offline/

  3. NICE POST BRO KEEP IT UP
    quickbooks stripe integration Stripe is a user-friendly credit card processor application, designed exclusively for only online businesses. It’s reasonably priced and easy tov implement for tech-savvy persons. The users can build their own e-commerce environment with Stripe’s API. For building a store, Stripe app allows user to partner with any of e-commerce platforms, with an additional cost.
    LINK:- quickbooks stripe integration

  4. NICE POST BRO KEEP IT UP
    quickbooks stripe integration Stripe is a user-friendly credit card processor application, designed exclusively for only online businesses. It’s reasonably priced and easy to implement for tech-savvzzy persons. The users can build their own e-commerce environment with Stripe’s API. For building a store, Stripe app allows user to partner with any of e-commerce platforms, with an additional cost.
    LINK:- quickbooks stripe integration

  5. If you are facing a serious hp printer offline problem then it’s practical to contact hp printer support services. It is because printers are multifaceted electromechanical devices that work on innovative and intricate technologies. Sometimes, printer offline errors are difficult to perceive and fix and so you require the expertise of technical support services.
    https://printersofflines.com/hp-printer-offline/

  6. The most effective means bring in some form of e-book and enjoy this almost from anywhere is during the entire fascinating process involving mp 3 mp3 audio books. The true sound e-book outlets that always one thinks of as rapidly as. hong kong pilates

  16. How To Reset Brother Printer To Default Settings?
    These are some step to reset brother printer.
    ● First of all, look for the “Menu” button on your printer.
    ● Press the “Menu” button and then the arrow button to reach the Initial Setup Option.
    ● Press OK to confirm.
    ● Next, press the arrow button to reach the “Reset Option” and press OK.
    ● Select the type of reset that you want to perform using the arrow buttons.
    ● This enables you to reset your printer.

  17. Avg Antivirus is basically software which offers a huge variety of virus detection methods. This antivirus doesn’t just prevent viruses from attacking your computer system but also kills them or quarantines viruses which have cracked through the firewall. Avg Antivirus also prevents malware which consists of vicious websites, Trojans, viruses, rootkits, and phishing schemes. It provides you with in-browser reports about the dangers it blocks. This Internet Security Software is a solid antivirus suite which safeguards an unlimited number of devices across numerous platforms.

  18. ما در این مقاله قصد داریم شما را با بهترین مرکز جوان سازی پوست آشنا کنیم. اگر انتخاب کلینیک زیبایی برای شما کمی سخت است، پیشنهاد می کنیم در این مقاله با ما همراه باشید. در این مقاله به معرفی ۱۰ تا از بهترین مرکز جوانسازی پوست پرداختیم تا شما با خیال راحت و اطمینان خاطر انتخاب درستی انجام دهید و به هدف خود از جوان سازی پوست برسید.
    https://pezeshka.com/the-best-skin-rejuvenation-center-list-of-10/

  19. https://toptena.ir/better-skin-rejuvenation-center-in-iran-list-of-10/
    جوانسازی پوست تاثیر بسیار زیادی در زیبایی چهره شما دارد؛ از این رو 10 تا از بهترین مرکز جوانسازی پوست در ایران را در این مقاله به شما عزیزان معرفی خواهیم کرد تا بتوانید به راحتی جوانسازی پوست خود را انجام دهید.

  20. https://jaraheto.com/the-best-skin-rejuvenation-center-in-tehran/
    ما در این مقاله قصد داریم تا شما را با بهترین مرکز جوانسازی پوست در تهران آشنا کنیم و اطلاعاتی در این رابطه به شما عزیزان ارائه بدهیم. امروزه موضوع زیبایی و جذابیت چیزی است که همواره همه ی انسان ها به آن اهمیت بسیار ویژه ای می دهند و به دنبال آن هستند، این موضوع زن و مرد نمی شناسد و همه انسان ها به طور غریزی طرفدار زیبایی هستند. اما هرگز نباید فراموش کرد که سلامتی از آن مهم تر و با اهمیت تر است.

  21. https://oshakh.com/the-best-pediatric-dentist-in-tehran/
    دندان ها از همان زمان کودکی که شروع به رشد می کنند نیاز به مراقبت و رسیدگی دارند. توجه به سلامت دهان و دندان کودکان از وظایف هر والدینی است. پیدا کردن یک دندانپزشک اطفال خوب از دغدغه های اغلب پدر و مادرها می باشد تا کودکان شان بدون ترس و اضطراب بتوانند به دندانپزشک مراجعه کنند. ما در این مقاله سعی داریم به شما بهترین دندانپزشک اطفال در تهران را معرفی کنیم و ویژگی های آن ها را بیان کنیم، پس تا پایان این مقاله همراه ما باشید.

  26. Yes, hp printer offline support offers reliable round-the-clock services to its valued customers. It is a customer-friendly public platform as it offers round-the-clock services to its customers. Its main aim is to develop a strong and honest relationship with its customers. They follow superior quality standards and offer their customers optimum solutions for all kinds of HP printer problems.

  33. There are many good articles in the book, but I felt a lot after reading your article that there are good articles in the Internet bulletin board. Thank you so much for letting me know a new realization토토사이트

  34. Wow, how can you write this? You’re so smart. Aren’t you a genius? It’s awesome. It’s so much fun that I’ll come back to watch it’ I’m just looking forward to your posting again메이저사이트 and I felt responsible for receiving this warm energy and sharing it with many people

  36. In today’s time when customers are the driving force of any business, it is very important to maintain customer relationships. CRM consulting firm assist you in setting up the best CRM system with the best benefits for your firm.

  39. NICE POST BRO KEEP IT UP quickbooks kindful integration
    Kindful is a smartly designed cloud-based donor management and fundraising software and database, specially crafted for non-profit organizations. It is one of the most effective CRM solution provider software with a user-friendly interface and detailed donor profiles. It provides easy access to mobile users that help users to donate directly from their mobile phones.
    LINK:- quickbooks kindful integration

  40. NICE POST BRO KEEP IT UP quickbooks kindful integration
    Kindful is a smartly designed cloud-based donor management and fundraising software and database, specizally crafted for non-profit organizations. It is one of the most effective CRM solution provider software with a user-friendly interface and detailed donor profiles. It provides easy access to mobile users that help users to donate directly from their mobile phones.
    LINK:- quickbooks kindful integration

  41. To download Kaspersky set up, visit the Kaspersky homepage.Simply click on the link http://www.Kaspersky.com and you will be taken to the official home page of Kaspersky.Expand the menu icon, you will find it on the top left corner of the screen and click on downloads.On the Download page select the product, you have purchased the subscription, and click on the update button.On the next screen, specify the operating system for which you want to download the setup file and click on the download button.

  50. global taruhan slot online waktu ini sangat terkenal di kalangan pecinta game daftar slot . galat satu alasannya adalah karena game slot memiliki hukum adat bermain yg mudah dipelajari.

Leave a Reply

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