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

23,732 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  1. ngeblogonline.com didedikasikan untuk kalian yang butuh tutorial Cara buat blog ngeblog pemula hingga nantinya mahir ngeblog, Bermodal pengalaman ngeblog dari 2011 hingga kini, blog ini resmi diluncurkan di bulan Oktober 2022.

  2. situs toto terpercaya adalah situs bandar togel dengan pasaran togel terlengkap. Anda bisa bermain langsung dan melihat hasil langsung dari togel hari ini hanya di TOTOCC.COM. Kami tidak hanya menyediakan togel saja sebagai jenis permainan yang bisa anda mainkan.

  6. Wikismart.id adalah sebuah media online yang menyediakan tips dan trik tentang sistem operasi Android, iOS, macOS, dan Windows. Misi kami adalah memberikan informasi dan menjelaskan teknologi dengan cara yang mudah untuk diterapkan.

  7. Wikismart.id is an online media that provides tips and tricks for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. Our mission is simple: to provide information and explain technology in a way that is easy to implement.

  9. NICE POST BRO KEEP IT UP quickbooks kindful integration
    Kindful is a smartly designed cloud-based donor management and fundraisinggg 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

  10. 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. x
    LINK:- quickbooks kindful integration

  11. I found the information you offered in relation to the subject of your article to be not only instructive but also interesting. We have high hopes that you will continue to provide us with postings of this caliber in the years to come.
    ffxiv inferno jacket

  12. For resolving QuickBooks online login issues, users should follow these solutions- check their browser settings, clear their browser’s cache and cookies, Sign in to QuickBooks Online, add QuickBooks as a trusted site, restart their computer and internet modem and clear their Domain Name System (DNS). It will help them in resolving issues.
    https://qbooklogin.com/

  15. شركة تسليك مجاري بالرياض هي افضل شركة متخصصة في تنظيف البيارات والبلاعات والعديد من الامور الاخري كشف تسريب المياه هي افضل الخدمات التي نقدمها للعملاء

  17. Canon printer offline- contact us for your canon printer is showing offline. Our amazing and expert team will help to fix your printer issue. With the help of the power button you can bring it back from offline mode to online mode. Always check your wifi connection before printing.our team has more than ten year experience and have special training for Canon printer
    https://printersofflines.com/canon-printer-offline/

  19. If you are a new user then go to the websites of activate Bitdefender and click on subscriptions. Now you need your email. I’d go to the next level, create a strong and easy password to access your bitdefender account , now look for download options and click it. Start downloading your antivirus products,it is very helpful to protect your computer or any other devices.
    If you are finding difficulties to download you can always call their customer support service,they are very effective and efficient to help you step by step.

  20. You might comment on the order system of the blog. You should chat it’s splendid. Your blog audit would swell up your visitors. I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! health entrepreneur

  22. Open the avg.com/setup page and click the menu button.Browse through the list of the products and locate the one you purchased.Click the download button underneath the product name to start the download.

  29. Pipedrive may be defined as a web-based Sales CRM and pipeline management elucidation that authorizes businesses to prepare their sales activities and monitor transactions. It is developed to use an activity-based selling methodology. Pipedrive streamlines every accomplishment involved to convert a possible deal into a victorious sale. It is economically priced, easy to use, and is developed by sales experts, for sales experts. It comes with a robust free trial option, multiple munificently priced subscription tiers, and a streamlined and instinctive UI, Pipedrive combines both in one very striking, polished package https://quicklybookonline.com/quickbooks-pipedrive-integration/

  33. Is the Roomba brush not spinning? Well, it is not a major issue, and can be resolved instantly. First of all, clear off all the dirt and debris accumulated underneath the brush module. After that, make sure you lubricate the brush module shaft for a smooth movement. The issue will be resolved without any hassle.

  35. Nothing is better than a Full body massage in Chennai to get rid out of stress, hypertension, body pain, and depression. Get a full Body to body massage in Chennai spa at affordable prices, which is Vipbody spa is offering in Chennai Fully Safe, Full Privacy and Well trained Nuru massage in Chennai therapists.

  45. In the vast technical world of email service providers, AOL has made its indomitable mark, as it has been offering email services with powerful functionalities. Like any successful and prominent email service provider (Gmail, Hotmail, etc.), AOL is also susceptible to errors and issues and its users often face the technical glitches of AOL email mail not working problem.

  46. Looking to grow your business and also have traffic from all over the USA , you can choose Ansun international. WE are a digital marketing agency ,providing multiple services under one stop . We care about our clients with any digital marketing support like Search engine immigration, social media platform , small advertisement dolby digital. Ansun International is a Houston Texas based company.
    https://ansuninternationals.com/

  47. NICE POST BRO KEEP IT UP ADP payroll can easily integrate with QuickBooks and helps in importing account lists from QuickBooks into RUN flawlessly to allow simple account mapping and one-click push payroll transactions from RUN into QuickBooks. quickbooks adp integration The accounting professional can have access to Accountant Link where they can enjoy single sign-on-access to RUN. quickbooks adp integration ADP is comprehensively designed accounting software that helps in getting payroll right and this includes garnishment payment services, hiring, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Reports, Compliance, and Tax Filing.
    LINK:- quickbooks adp integration

  48. NICE POST BRO KEEP IT UP ADP payroll can easily integrate with QuickBooks and helps in importing account lists from QuickBooks into RUN flawlessly to allow simple account mapping and one-click push payroll transactions from RUN into QuickBooks. quickbooks adp integration The accounting professional can have access to Accountant Link where they can enjoy single sign-on-access to RUN. quickbooks adp integration ADP is comprehensively designed accounting software that helps in getting payroll right and this includes garnishment payment services, hiring, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Reports, Compliance, and Tax Filing.
    LINK:- quickbooks adp integration

Leave a Reply

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