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

23,603 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  2. Hello there, just changed into aware of your blog through Google,
    and located that it’s truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.
    I will be grateful for those who continue this in future.
    Numerous people might be benefited out of
    your writing. Cheers!
    토토

  7. Eddie was diagnosed with cancer in 2001, finally succumbing to the disease on October 6, 2020.[15][16][17] A month after his father’s death, Wolfgang confirmed that Van Halen had disbanded

  8. Eddie was diagnosed with cancer in 2001, finally succumbing to the disease on October 6, 2020.[15][16][17] A month after his father’s death, Wolfgang confirmed that Van Halen had disbanded

  10. Jul32021 PATCH NOTES 11.13 Jul32021 PATCH NOTES 11.13 PATCH 11.14 TIME TO BRING OUT THE GAREN LoL SMURF ACCOUNTS “Oh. Hello. This patch, we’re flipping over to focusing on champions. Past the usual balancing, we’ve given adjustments to four friends: a follow-up buff to a catfish, a sweeping pass to solve some persistent issues with …
    Leagues of legends patch notes

  11. MMC follows best bookkeeping practice principles and harness automation capabilities of Xero. Get bookkeeping, tax filing, advisory, and banking for small businesses.

  16. Allied Dubai Movers located in Dubai one of the major cities of United Arab Emirates. We are a one-stop solution to all your moving problems. At the same time packing to relocating, we offer all that you have in mind when you think of moving.

    Movers in Dubai

  17. ویتامین آ چیست؟
    ویتامین آ یکی از ویتامین‌های محلول در چربی است که از مواد مغذی محلول در چربی رتینول، رتینال و استات رتینیل تشکیل شده است. دو نوع مختلف ویتامین آ در مواد غذایی زیادی یافت می‌شود:

    ویتامین آ پیش ساخته که به شکل رتینول و استات رتینال در مواد غذایی حیوانی مثل لبنیات، جگر گاو و ماهی‌ها یافت می‌شود.
    کاروتنوئیدها نوع دوم ویتامین آ هستند که در گیاهان و روغن‌ها موجود بوده و پیش‌ساز ویتامین آ به حساب می‌آیند.
    بدن انسان برای مصرف ویتامین A باید هر دو نوع آن را به نوع فعال ویتامین آ، رتینال و رتینوئیک اسید، تبدیل کند.
    https://vitalandco.com/vitamin-a/

  19. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
    Either way stay up the excellent high quality writing, it is uncommon to see a great blog like this one these days..
    고스톱

  24. Zeitarbeit schnell buchen. Mit Montageunterstützung vermieten Monteure, Automatisierungstechniker und Mechatroniker für den internationalen Maschinenbau.Plötzlicher und akuter Personalmangel ist ein weit verbreitetes Problem im Maschinen- und Anlagenbau.

    Maschinenbau hilfe

  25. We treat your plumbing emergency like it is happening in one of our own homes or in our building. This is why our client’s have trusted us for their emergency and non-emergency plumbing needs for over 75 years. We service the entire valley, including Henderson, Green Valley, Summerlin, and North Las Vegas.

    When you have a plumbing emergency in your  home or business, contact plumbing in las vegas nv 24 hours a day – 7 days a week

  27. LSM99 ​Good service, reliable. Our website meets the standards of transparent service availability. All customers can be confident that every balance is safe. There is a trial system. Allowing all customers to try the game you want to play before starting to bet. Register for membership, deposit-withdraw 24 hours a day.

    Click Here

  28. Thank you! I really enjoyed your post I want to share with you all a useful source. Here is a list of top Robotics Companies in USA. Choose any RPA service provider in USA or worldwide to develop innovative solutions. Explore Now

  36. Realsite is the number #1 smm panel – we offer hundreds of services for all social media platforms, we are the cheapest smm panel for buying organic instagram likes and followers.
    cheapest smm panel

  37. Play at DON99 and you will be rewarded more than you deserve! Besides gambling on our lavishly elegant platform, we’ve got referral system and VIP membership for you to gain the most out from us. Be VIP member or refer your friends to join us, or both and you will be well-rewarded with extensive promos, credits, and more. So wait not, join and play DON99 now!
    Don9Ppoker

  44. 스포츠토토 Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after checking through some of the post I realized
    it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and
    I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  45. Hi there very cool web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. 온라인카지노

    Superb .. I will bookmark your web site and take
    the feeds additionally? I’m glad to search out a
    lot of useful info hede wituin thhe submit, we’d like work oout more strategies

  46. 카지노사이트 Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after checking through some of the post I realized
    it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and
    I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  47. I am Rambha Singh escort girl in Pune. I provide you the best female escorts in India. If you are trying to find the best escort in India then you can contact me here at 96547 64781.

  50. I simply could not depart your site before suggesting that I really loved the usual information an individual supply in your visitors? Is gonna be again frequently to inspect new posts. 토토사이트

Leave a Reply

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