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

27,216 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  3. Eventdex is an all-in-one event management software designed to streamline every aspect of event planning and execution. From registration and ticketing to attendee engagement and post-event analytics, Eventdex offers a complete suite of tools that make events more efficient and impactful.

    With features like event registration, Onsite Event check-in and Badge printing
    , event apps, AI matchmaking, lead retrieval, table booking, surveys, and robust reporting, Eventdex empowers organizers to deliver seamless experiences while driving attendee engagement and ROI.

    Whether for conferences, trade shows, corporate meetings, or networking events, Eventdex’s scalable and cost-effective solutions help organizers save time, reduce manual work, and elevate the attendee experience.

  4. Get expert Management Assignment Help from an Assignment Mentor today! Our professionals provide reliable guidance, ensuring top-quality, plagiarism-free work with timely delivery to boost your grades and academic success.Management Assignment Help

  9. is very interesting post. Very good topic. The article looks good as the post is understood and the article is interesting and your post is very interesting sometimes such ‘posts touch the mind’
    https://ncrgirl.com/

  10. I have seen that every person wants to express their feelings but they are not able to express their feelings properly in words but the content you have written in your post is very beautiful, it seems that you have expressed your feelings Has expressed. Hi, you are a person who writes a very beautiful post, in the same way, you keep writing new posts in your life, our best wishes are with you.
    https://jiyadas.com/

  11. The page you have created is very beautiful and it must not have been so easy, you must have found it very difficult because it is not an easy task to write your thoughts in words, I love your written words, keep writing in the same way.
    https://hellogirls.in/

  12. If it was so easy to write your own words then everyone would be writing beautiful posts like you but it is not that every person is not able to convert their thoughts into words you are a promising writer I appreciate your post.
    https://hellgirls.in/

  13. Thank you for this fascinating post!

    I loved learning how Cambodian dance weaves together spirituality, storytelling, and cultural pride across three distinct styles—Khmer Classical, Folk, and Vernacular. The deep symbolism in the graceful gestures of the Royal Ballet, along with the vibrant energy of folk and social dances like Rom Kbach, truly showcases how movement embodies tradition and community. It’s especially moving to consider how such a treasured art form nearly vanished but was revived through the perseverance of survivors after the Khmer Rouge era. Truly inspiring

    stock marketing Training in Hyderabad

  14. DCA Southwest Terminal departures zone offers convenience with clear signage, efficient TSA screening, and organized boarding gates. Southwest Airlines ensures timely services, with plenty of amenities to keep travelers comfortable. Whether flying for business or leisure, passengers experience smooth departures at Washington National Airport’s well-structured Southwest terminal area.

  15. This overview of Cambodian dance is beautifully written! I especially appreciate how you highlight the resilience of dancers who preserved this sacred art through such turbulent times. Thanks for sharing this important cultural narrative.

    visa consultants in hyderabad

  16. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!As much as your thinking is appreciated, it is very important to have a beautiful mind to write a beautiful post and in fact, you have rarely seen such a beautiful post as the beautiful post you have written, it is very much in my life Beautiful post.There are many posts that mean anything which is meaningless, but your post is very different,
    https://newescort.in

  17. When someone shares this kind of article, the mind is happy Thank you for this article.Interesting post is good article, you have written. There are some posts that touch the mind. Looks very breathtakingYour post is very good and very different. Your post will be very useful for me because I like these articles very much, I am thankful that I found this post. https://escortqueen.in/

  18. Your article is very interesting. And you have decorated your art beautifully. It inspires people a lot. If the subject is good, then it is also fun to read and this is what people want nowadays, your post is really interesting. Inspired by you, I too think I should write an article on a fun subject. https://hotgirlsavita.com/

  19. Welcome to Gurugram Escorts Agency. Here you will get 100% service. And here you will find girls for every figure and from massage to body to body massage is also available. Gurugram Escorts Agency gives you better and better facilities. Gurugram Escorts Agency is available not just in Gurugram but everywhere like Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Gurugram , Greater Gurugram , and in Gurugram you can book a girl from any corner, you can call us at your choice of place. Can be called So what are you waiting for now? And make your problem-filled life enjoyable. When you enter in our link, there will be available booking numbers thankyo.. https://callgirlsbooking.in/

  21. jasa pengurusan iso adalah Jasa Konsultan Sertifikasi ISO dibawah naugan kantor hukum SMTLaw yang dapat membantu anda untuk pengurusan Sertifikasi ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 dan ISO 37001 yang diakui secara Global dan Terverifikasi.

  27. Great insights! I really enjoyed reading your article. You’ve provided some valuable information that I’ll definitely be sharing with others. Thanks for sharing your expertise!..YY
    신용카드현금화

  31. Fantastic post however , I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Kudos!..YY
    토토사이트

  33. Oh my goodness, this website is an unbelievable treasure chest of information! I could not stop perusing from start to finish. Every word is like a wonderful spell that keeps me mesmerized. Can’t wait for additional mind-boggling content!..YY
    카지노사이트 모음

  36. Dengan fokus pada inovasi, biru777 menghadirkan layanan digital yang stabil. Pengguna merasa aman dan puas saat mengakses. Brand ini semakin diminati berbagai kalangan.

  39. Every winner knows the importance of playing on the right platform, and that’s why they choose yam4d. Designed to deliver both fun and fairness, yam4d has become the global standard in online gaming. Gamers love yam4d for its smooth performance, fair results, and exciting rewards. Unlike many platforms, yam4d gives every player a real chance to succeed. Its popularity continues to grow worldwide, making it the first choice for serious gamers. Whether you’re here for fun or victory, yam4d ensures you always get the best possible gaming experience.

  40. لو حابة تظهري بإطلالة مميزة، شوفي فستان كلوش — أجمل فساتين كلوش بتصاميم متنوعة من متجر فساتين سهره سعودي أثير، اكتشفي خصوماتنا الحصرية الآن مع خدمة توصيل سريعة اطلبي الآن.

  42. لكل من يدور على تجربة قيادة أرقى، أنصحكم تزوروا محل شاشات سيارات — متجر بريق الشاشة يقدم شاشات سيارات وإكسسوارات عالية الجودة مع ضمان سنتين وخدمة عملاء 24/7. تسوقوا الآن واستمتعوا بتوصيل مجاني وراحة أكثر في قيادتكم.

  43. لو حابة تطبخي الكبسة على أصولها، جربي بهارات الكبسة — من جازانيا، وجهتك المثالية للقهوة والبهارات في السعودية مع إمكانية تقسيط مشترياتك بكل سهولة وراحة عبر تمارا

  44. لو من عشاق القهوة المختصة، جربوا محمصة الظهران — قهوة مختصة عالية الجودة مع عروض حصرية، وتقسيط مريح عبر تابي وتمارا، وشحن سريع لراحتكم

  45. لإطلالة أنيقة وراقية، شوفي فستان زيتي غامق من جورجينا فاشن — تصميم بتفاصيل أنيقة بأسعار تنافسية، مع إمكانية التقسيط عبر تابي وتمارا. تسوقي الآن وتألقـي

  46. تمتعوا بالصحة والجودة مع زيت الزيتون الطبيعي من متجر جوفنا — خصومات حتى 15%، شحن مجاني، وضمان ذهبي على الجودة. زيت طبيعي 100% مع خدمة تقسيط لراحة عملائنا

  47. جربوا مناديل قصة 500 من لمعة الأمجاد — أفضل متجر منظفات ومناديل في السعودية، مع تقسيط مريح عبر تمارا وشحن مجاني للطلبات فوق 399 ريال. اطلبوا أونلاين الآن

  48. لإطلالة أنيقة ومميزة، شوفي قميص كويتي نسائي مورد من لايق عليك بالسعودية — تجربة تسوق سهلة مع خيارات تقسيط مرنة عبر تابي وتمارا. تسوقي اليوم وتمتعي بالأناقة والراحة

  49. استمتعي بالضيافة الفاخرة مع ترامس ساندرا السيف من متجر الأخضر في السعودية — تشكيلة مميزة من الترامس مع خصومات رائعة وخيارات تقسيط مريحة عبر تابي وتمارا. تسوقي الآن

  50. لو حابب تطور مهاراتك المالية، لا تفوت دورات الاستثمار والتداول — اكتشف أفضل الدورات للمبتدئين والمحترفين، وتعلم استراتيجيات ذكية لتنمية أموالك واختيار الدورة المعتمدة المناسبة لأهدافك

Leave a Reply

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