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

23,690 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  20. Hello I’m Anny Perry . I’m a 123hp printer Hp envy printer 6255The HP Envy Printer 6255 All-in-One boasts a range of key features that enhance functionality. Its wireless connectivity enables effortless printing from various devices, including smartphones and tablets. The printer features a user-friendly touchscreen interface for easy navigation and settings adjustment. With its dual-cartridge ink system, it delivers high-quality prints and efficient replacement. The built-in SD card slot and USB port facilitate direct photo printing, adding convenience. Its compact design ensures space-saving integration into any setting.

  26. Our specialists desire you to receive the ideal assistance appropriate to your educational levels, and we wish your time with us to be wonderful, biology assignment help online are available if you require assistance with math and statistics. If you have concerns, you may contact us immediately via chat or email. We are completely committed to ensuring your achievement and will meet your requirements for correctness and quick shipping. Customers from all around the world can use our services for any assignment level. Expert is ready to assist you when you’re looking for the best homework help.

  27. For students like me, CPM Homework Help is more than simply a service; it truly changes the game. They really give us the tools we need to excel in our studies since they employ powerful language in their materials. It’s amazing how they simplify complex ideas into understandable chunks, making learning pleasurable and less intimidating. My confidence has increased as a result of this support, and my academic performance has significantly improved. CPM Homework Help is something that all of my fellow students ought to try, in my opinion.

  28. Our Corporate Limo Service offers the height of luxury and competence. For your business needs, a seamless and comfortable travel is provided by our upscale fleet and knowledgeable chauffeurs. With our first-rate corporate transport service, you may arrive in elegance and leave a positive impression. Our Corporate Limo Service offers a touch of luxury to every occasion, from business meetings to significant celebrations. With our dependable and elegant limousine service, you may enhance your business trip experience.

  30. Now i am attracted to people write-up. It can be best to locate persons verbalize within the cardiovascular system together with realizing in such a major topic is frequently purely observed. 中文補習

  32. Link Macanbola Website Game Online Terlengkap dan Terbaik di Indonesia. Menyediakan berbagai macam Permainan Game Online seperti Online Sportsbook Betting, Virtual Betting, Permainan Kartu, Casino Live Game, dan Game Slot Gacor.

  38. i really nice article
    digital marketing course in hyderabad
    wordpress training in hyderabad
    video editing course in hyderabad
    seo training in hyderabad

  40. Follow these instructions to install the most recent drivers for your HP printer. first, go to the “Support” or “Drivers” area of the official HP website. To get the correct drivers for your operating system, enter the model number of your printer. Run the installer after downloading the driver package. Follow the on-screen instructions while installing and pick the suggested settings. If prompted, make sure your printer is on the same network or connected via USB to the computer.

    https://www.contactfor-guide.com/hp-printer/

  41. Follow these instructions to call the McAfee Customer Service hotline. Find the “Support” or “Contact Us” area on the official McAfee website. There is probably a hotline number for your area there. Call the number provided to speak with a McAfee representative. As an alternative, you can look into choices for assistance by email or online chat. To ensure a more seamless connection, be sure to have your subscription information and particular issue ready. The goal of Mcafee’s customer care is to address inquiries about subscriptions, installation, troubleshooting, and other issues.

    https://mcafee-actvate.com/blog/mcafee-customer-service-number/

  42. It’s important to take a methodical approach while resolving the frustrating issue of an offline Epson printer. Start by looking at the actual physical connections between your computer and printer. Make sure the networks of both devices are connected. Restarting your computer and printer will restore their connections. Make sure the printer isn’t in offline mode by checking the default settings. Reinstall the printer drivers and software if the problem still exists. Investigate network problems and think about giving the printer a static IP address.

    https://simplyassist.us/blog/epson-printer-offline-error-windows-mac

  43. It takes strategy to begin developing custom software for your company. Start by determining your unique demands and difficulties. Work together with stakeholders to develop precise goals and functions. To help with development, create a comprehensive project scope and budget. Depending on your knowledge and resources, decide between internal development and outsourcing. Choose the ideal development technique, such as Waterfall or Agile, to guarantee successful project management. Partner with a reputed software development business or hire a talented development team.

    https://ansuninternationals.com/custom-software

  44. PG888 is one of the best mobile game site that offer huge winnings.
    The best of this site is that there are so many awesome features that can satisfy your gaming experience.
    Join and play PG Slot games now and create more winnings.

  45. Microsoft Edge took the place of Internet Explorer in order to fix a number of problems and offer a more up-to-date browsing experience. The incompatibility of Internet Explorer with current web standards led to a less than ideal user experience. With a new rendering engine, enhanced performance, more security measures, and more support for web technologies, Microsoft Edge was built. It sought to offer consumers a smooth transition while enhancing speed, privacy controls, and compatibility.

    https://simplyassist.us/browser/internet-explorer

  46. PPC campaign management services greatly increase the effectiveness of advertising. Experts from these services carefully plan and optimize your campaigns. They carry out extensive keyword analysis before creating ads that are very relevant. In order to target the correct audience at the right moment, ad placements and bidding tactics are fine-tuned. Continuous observation enables quick adjustments to take advantage of trends and reduce unnecessary spending. Conversion rates on landing pages are improved. Analytics offer perceptions into performance, enabling decisions based on data.

    https://ansuninternationals.com/blog/ppc-campaign-management-services/

Leave a Reply

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