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

20,987 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  1. Hi, I am Michael. Working as backend support executive for the last six years in various companies. I use to take calls from of lots users requesting Canon printer not responding to windows 10 regarding their different queries. For example, suppose you are dealing with a problem related to the printer. So, you can open the Canon printer website and try to resolve your issue. But, if you cannot do so, You can connect to me for instant help, Call me NOW and fix all your printer-related problems and concerns.
    https://www.customerservicephonenumber.co/blog/canon-printer-not-responding-fixed/

  2. Oriental Game is the fastest growing live dealer platform and gaming solution provider in the Asian market. We currently hold interactive gaming licenses from Philippine gaming and gaming company PAGCOR, the leading provider of iGaming licenses in the Philippines , and we are continually growing in the iGaming industry in Asia by combining our unparalleled expertise and cutting-edge technology. 토토사이트

  11. 파칭코사이트인포
    This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

  17. I like to relax with friends and family. We are constantly going somewhere or flying to rest. And one consideration was also in Cambodia.
    And it was something unreal, I admired those people, those customs and people and decided to write a memo writer about this trip and the best and most interesting moments

  18. Hi there
    I really like to relax with my family. We are constantly flying somewhere to rest. We have been to China, Japan, Ukraine, and others.
    And once they were also in Cambodia.
    And it was something unreal, I was fascinated by those customs and people and decided to write a memo writer about this trip. I decided to save the best moments

  22. Impressive web site, Distinguished feedback that I can tackle. I am moving forward and may apply to my current job as a pet sitter, which is very enjoyable, but I need to additional expand. Regards what are incremental sales

  26. Prime Video is available in over 200 countries and territories with an eligible Prime Video or Amazon Prime membership. Join Prime to watch the latest movies, TV shows and award-winning Amazon Originals.

    https://prime-video-mytv.com

  28. Je hebt daar een paar fatsoenlijke punten gemaakt. Ik keek op internet voor meer informatie over het probleem en ontdekte dat de meeste mensen meegaan met uw mening op deze website. margo webshop

  32. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge via the post.
    You can also take expert’s help from our QBS Enterprise support team by dialing toll-free +1-800-761-1787.

  36. The “Global Fluid Milk Market Analysis to 2028″ is a specialized and in-depth study of the food and beverages industry with a special focus on the global market trend analysis. The report aims to provide an overview of the fluid milk market with detailed market segmentation by source, type, application, distribution channel, and geography. The global fluid milk market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading fluid milk market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.

  38. خرید فالوور واقعی
    اگر شما از افرادی هستید که تا به حال از پیج های فروشگاهی در اینستاگرام خریدی انجام داده اید. قطعا هنگام خرید، پیج های زیادی را در همان حیطه کاری بررسی کرده اید تا خریدی با کیفیت و مطمئنی را داشته باشید. بدون شک یکی از معیار های اصلی شما در انتخاب یک پیج برای خرید آن محصول مد نظرتان تعداد فالوور های آن پیج بوده.

    پس داشتن فالوور های زیاد میتواند اعتماد اولیه و شروع کننده یک رابطه بین پیج شما و فرد بازدید کننده باشد. اگر دنبال این گونه اعتماد سازی هستید یا با خرید فالوور اینستاگرام و یا با خرید پیج اینستاگرام به این مهم دست یابید در این بین نیز میتوانید برای افزایش بازدید هدفمند از ربات اینستاگرام استفاده کنید.

  45. Deposit System-Deposit
    Toto site, safety playground recommendation, watching sports video, webtoons, major sites, sports information sharing and users are responsible for rest.

    스포츠토토

Leave a Reply

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