Folk Dance

Cambodia is a country enriched with civilization since the first century, where culture and tradition gradually developed and preserved. One of her cultures and traditions is Dance. Dance in Cambodia consists of Khmer Classical Dance (Royal Ballet of Cambodia or Robam Preah Reach Trop), Folk dance, and Popular dance (Social dance).

Khmer Folk Dances mostly choreographed in the 20th century, are passed on from one generation to another and are often linked to Cambodia’s ethnic group’s traditional ceremonies and various cultural traditions such as animism and expressing belief in the supernatural (When people have problems thought to have been caused by supernatural and spirit, they offer lively dance to appease them).

Khmer folk dances are usually from locals, which bring the real life or story onto the stage and sometimes bring some message to the audience. Robam Kuoh Tralaok and Robam Robam Trot are popular examples.

Robam Kandob Ses (Praying Mantis Dance)

The gestures of this dance generally imitate the praying mantis, and costumes are the color of the insect.

Robam Kngork Pouthisat (Pursat Peacock Dance)

Folk dances are performed at religious ceremonies, festivities, and leisurely entertainment. Traditionally, all dances were performed in the village in large clearings or public areas at times of birth, marriage, death, during planting and harvesting, hunting, war, or at a feast. There are many dances related to Buddhist beliefs, one of them is Robam Kgnork Pouthisat.

Robam Nesat or Khmer Fishing Dance

Khmer folk dances are highly spirited dances that follow popular themes with lively movements and gestures. Dance motifs are usually based on local legends and the everyday life of the people. Dancers dance with easy, improvised yet composed movements that are designed to invite humor and enthusiasm, with upbeat music and rhythm. Many dances are accompanied by drums and instruments from the Mahori and Pinn peat ensemble. One of many popular Khmer folk dances is Robam Nesat (Khmer Fishing Dance).

Robam Kngork Pailin (Pailin Peacock Dance)

Robam Kngork Pailin (Pailin Peacock Dance) is a long-standing legacy from the Kola ethnic group, who live in the region of Pailin in the west of Cambodia. The dance relates to a Pailinian legend about a magic peacock who goes to preach to the King. The lively dance is about commemorating this peacock which is a symbol of happiness. The dance imitates the peacock with lively colors of beautiful wings and suggests a courting scene between a peacock and a peahen. The dance is said to bring happiness and prosperity to villagers and is often performed during the New Year and ritual ceremonies in times of drought to pray for rain.

Robam Ken (Ken Dance)

Traditional Folk Dance Refers to all kinds of dances that are passed on from one generation to another and that are often linked to an ethnic group’s traditional’ ceremonies. In Cambodia, traditional dances mostly involve animism and express beliefs in the supernatural. When people have problems thought to have been caused by supernatural or spirits, they offer lively dances to appease them.