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

23,553 thoughts on “Cambodia Dance”

  2. Very nice post you have shared with us thank you so much for sharing this useful information.. There is clearly a great deal to think about this. I think you made some great focuses in Features too. Continue working, extraordinary job !
    I Just Published an article for types of skateboards. Your audience will love.

    Also You can Visit:
    landyachtz dinghy review

    Cheers
    emon

  8. Very nice post you have shared with us thank you so much for sharing this useful information.. There is clearly a great deal to think about this. I think you made some great focuses in Features too. Continue working, extraordinary job !
    I Just Published an article for packing tape dispenser. Your audience will love.

    Also You can Visit:
    packing tape dispenser

    Cheers
    rishab

  11. از جمله اتاق فرارهای ترسناک تهران که در مجموعه اسکیپ ویژن ارائه شده است، اتاق فرار IT می باشد. داستان این بازی از این قرار است که؛ پنی وایز پس از 27 سال از خواب بیدار می شود. افراد را شکار می کند و از آنها تغذیه می کند. حالا شما خود را در حال ورود به خانه او پیدا می کنید
    https://www.shomanews.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87-71/989204-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B3%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%BE-%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%85-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A7%DA%A9-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86

  15. I simply want to tell you that I am just beginner to blogs and really enjoyed you’re web page. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your site . You really have fantastic posts. Thank you for sharing
    토토

  16. This is very interesting, You’re an excessively skilled bloggerI have joined your rss feed and sit up for in quest of extra of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks.
    카지노사이트

  18. Knowing and valuing yourself, setting goals, and planning help build important foundations, but action is required to make your dreams come true. To take control of your life it is necessary to choose and take appropriate action. Take charge. Move forward. Sometimes students with disabilities need to work harder to achieve the same level of success as their peers.안전놀이터
    Sometimes I think that all of us with disabilities have an advantage over those who have things come easier to them. Whatever it is we want, we have to want it and then work for it. That necessary desire promotes drive to accomplish, succeed, or achieve. Others around us may be content to float, or do the minimum most of the time, but not us. For us, having what everybody else has is an accomplishment, and having tasted success we want to keep succeeding

  20. I accidentally searched and visited your site. I still saw several posts during my visit, but the text was neat and readable. I will quote this post and post it on my blog. Would you like to visit my blog later? 메이저놀이터추천

  22. Thank you, I’ve just been looking for info approximately this subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I’ve came upon till now. But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain about the supply?

    https://www.betmantoto.pro

  24. Clara smith has worked as a professor for six years at the University of Nebraska. She is a professional in marketing and has been linked up with the digital marketing industry as well. Currently, she is working with myessayhelp.co.uk to assist students with their essay helps .

  28. My Assignment Help Now is a valuable source of getting experts’ help for academic papers. Connecting with the well-qualified professionals helps you to score top grades. Students who have no ideas about how to start their papers, they can search for our superior online assignment help service to compose their documents.

  33. امروزه دستگاه ها و پکیج های مختلفی برای تصفیه انواع فاضلاب مسکونی، صنعتی و بیمارستانی ساخته شده است و در همه کشورها مورد استفاده قرارمی ‌گیرد. انواع انواع پکیج تصفیه فاضلاب پکیج تصفیه فاضلاب توسط شرکت های داخلی طراحی و ساخته شده و امروز مورد استفاده انواع شرکت ها و سازمان ها قرار می گیرند.

  48. Gulf Trading is providing innovative and turnkey solutions to flooring technology. Our expert technicians have deep understanding of the product and deliver top class service all the way from conception to handover.’
    Terrazzo flooring dubai

  49. 下線上百家樂玩法及規則；下篇文章帶領大家探索百家樂破解 必勝秘訣，如：看路技巧、下注策略等。【百家樂攻略】新手快速入門，玩法、規則、必勝技巧、術語懶人包 百家樂是線上娛樂城/現金城裏最普遍的博奕遊戲，皆因其玩法簡單、規則易明、公平公開。以下，小編先為新手玩家簡單介紹。

  50. Every new player must learn the basic rules and hands of playing Texas Hold Em online. Although the poker game is easy to play, it takes practice to become skillful. To learn about online gambling malaysia come to our site In this article, you learn how to master the gaming rules and enjoy online gambling in Malaysia. Whether you intend to play the game on the Natural8 platform or any other, you find this article useful

Leave a Reply

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