History
The Royal Ballet of Cambodia could be traced back to the 7th century in a royal funeral. The inscription of Apsara Dancers was crafted on the wall of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Until the ninth century, the dance was widely used for praying to the heavenly spirits and people believed to be blessed thru the dance offerings. Due to the political turmoil, the Royal Dance was almost forgotten and lost its identity in Cambodian society; fortunately, during the era of king Norodom Seyhanuk, Princess Buppha Devi dedicated her entire effort to preserve the dance and introduced it to the international stage in Paris.
Intangible Cutlural Heritage
In 2003, the Royal Dance of Cambodia was proclaimed to the UNESCO but was not inscribed until 2008. There are some confusions between Cambodian traditional dance and neighboring country Thailand due to its similarities; nevertheless, there are several different aspects that are interesting to look at.
Today, the dance has represented the identity of Khmer culture and plays an important role in the community and family bonding. The Royal Dance has usually performed at the beginning of an event i.e. wedding receptions, as a blessing ceremony for the hosts and everyone who participates.
Repertories
Dances:
-
Robam Apsara (របាំអប្សរា)
-
Robam Tep Monorom (របាំទេពមនោរម្យ)
-
Robam Chun Por (របាំជូនពរ)
-
Robam Makar (របាំមករ)
-
Robam Sovann Maccha (របាំសុវណ្ណមច្ឆា)
-
Robam Moni Mekhala or Mekhala-Reamesor (របាំមណីមេខលា)
Dance Drama: -
Reamker (Ramakerti, រាមកេរ្តិ៍): Ramayana
-
Preah Sothon-Neang Monorea (ព្រះសូធន-នាងមនោហ៍រា): Sudhana-Jataka, formerly referred to as Kailas (កៃលាស), recreated in 2003
-
Krai Thong (ក្រៃថោង)
-
Inao (ឥណាវ): Panji
-
Kakey (កាកី): Kakati-Jataka
-
Preah Anoruth-Neang Usa (ព្រះអនុរុទ្ធ-នាងឧសា): Aniruddha
-
Sopheak Leak (សុភលក្ខណ៍): Chitralekha
-
Preah Samot (ព្រះសមុទ្រ)
-
Sovannahong (សុវណ្ណហង្ស)
-
Preah Sang (ព្រះស័ង្ខ)
Where is Cambodia?
Located in Southeast Asia, Cambodia has a long history of cultural folklore. It was the Khmer empire of Angkor in the 2nd century, which territory covered many regions in the lower Mekong. The power of the empire had gradually declined since the 14th century and was controlled by the colonials. In 1975-1979, the country was temporarily collapsed and taken over by the Khmer Rouge. During that time, the cultures and traditions were completely destroyed and vanished from the Khmer society. The country was gradually re-established in 1979 when the revolutions took place.