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

23,698 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  2. Great article with excellent idea! I have bookmarked your site since this site contains important data in it. I am truly content with articles quality and introduction카지노사이트

  5. Your article has answered the question I was wondering about! I would like to write a thesis on this subject, but I would like you to give your opinion once 😀 메이저놀이터

  6. The article composing business is going extraordinary for me at this moment, and the vast majority of my prosperity is because of the substance that you post here. I utilize your substance to compose my articles, and the substance makes my great article incredible. 메이저놀이터

  10. This article is an appealing wealth of useful informative that is interesting and well-written. I commend your hard work on this and thank you for this information. I know it very well that if anyone visits your blog, then he/she will surely revisit it again. 토토사이트

  14. تعمیر و نگهداری از ساندویچ پانل
    https://sanatpooshesh.com/%d8%aa%d8%b9%d9%85%db%8c%d8%b1-%d9%88-%d9%86%da%af%d9%87%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%b1%db%8c-%d8%a7%d8%b2-%d8%b3%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%af%d9%88%db%8c%da%86-%d9%be%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%84-%d9%87%d8%a7/
    قرار دادن پانل ها باید به نحوی باشدکه هوا به راحتی از میان آن ها رد و بدل شود . در این صورت رطوبت در میان پانل ها نفوذ نمی کند .که یکی از مهم ترین موضوع در نگهداری از ساندویچ پنل ها می باشد

  18. What to do if cash app transfer failed
    Sometimes when the cash app shows a cash app transfer failed error message if the transaction is pending then you can cancel it but if it’s showing the pending status then you can’t cancel the payment. In this case, you can go with cash app contact support or customer service of cash application.

  19. Contact Facebook if you have problem with the way toward communicating something specific to the dispatch?

    Hi, you can use dispatch to chat with anyone of your Facebook companion. To be sure, it isn’t expected to create an id on Facebook to utilize the message. You can easily access the messager by entering your phone number. Here, you can contact Facebook if you have problem 
    with doing it.

  20. Importance of thecash app support service:

    The Cash App Support
    services play an important role in managing the cash app account. They have a complete system for offering the best services to their cash app customers. They know how to deal with the problems that usually occur on the tech factor and what should be the practice to manage it. They can quickly recognize the reasons and soy their customer’s problems.

  21. Okul Testleri İlkokul, Ortaokul ve Lise kademelerinde müfredata uygun testler hazırlamaktadır. Tamamen öğrenci odaklı testler ile öğrenciler derslerde öğrenmiş olduklarını okul testleri sayesinde tekrar edebilir ve öğrendiklerini pekiştirebilir. Kazanım kavrama testlerine uygun ve güncel müfredata dayalıdır.

    https://www.okultestleri.com/

  23. From some point on, I am preparing to build my site while browsing various sites. It is now somewhat completed. If you are interested, please come to play with 바카라사이트!!

  24. It’s really nice and meaningful. it’s really cool blog. Linking is very useful thing. You have really helped lots of people who visit blog and provide them useful information. 고스톱

  25. Haridwar whore brings an agreeable office

    You can discover a whore at a sensible rate without trading off execution. We Respect your craving we comprehend your requirements. In the nightlife in Haridwar, you will have some uncommon escorts. it is where you can track down the mind-blowing accompanies insight and the best Haridwar call young ladies. You can pick any accompany profile for your Quality time. Haridwar is probably the best city for accompanies insight.
    Visit:Call Girls in Haridwar

  29. Hello, I’ve been working with the target db for over 5 years with the work team.
    We will always try to profit from sales and marketing with the latest DB.
    If you contact us anytime 24 hours a day, we will be kindly consulted.
    Here is my web site … 주식디비

  36. You have made some really good points there. I checked on the net to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.|바카라사이트

  38. This is my first time i visit here. I found so many entertaining stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the leisure here! Keep up the good work. I have been meaning to write something like this on my website and you have given me an idea. 바카라사이트

  39. Yes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very nice and very informative article. I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can’t help but wonder, what about the other side?
    고스톱

  40. I am overwhelmed by your post with such a nice topic. Usually I visit your blogs and get updated through the information you include but today’s blog would be the most appreciable. Well done!
    토토사이트웹

  41. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. 토토사이트웹

  42. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.
    한국야동

Leave a Reply

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