A trip to Cambodge would be incomplete without discovering the Apsara dance. It is a form of classical dance that has marked Cambodian tradition for centuries and still holds an important place in Khmer culture today. Don't miss attending a Khmer dance performance over a fine dinner during your stay in Siem Reap, or catch a spectacular show by the Royal Ballet of Cambodge in Phnom Penh if you have the chance to visit the city in January, during their annual season open to the public.

History

Traditional dances of Cambodge have existed for over a millennium. Once, only classical dances were performed in the celebrated temples of Angkor.

Legend tells of an Indian hermit named Kampu who married an Apsara dancer named Mera. Their union gave birth to Kampumera, which later became Cambodge and gave rise to the Khmers. Once, the dancers were earthly figures but were gradually assimilated into the Apsaras. From the age of eight, they were trained in dance and lived in the temples of Angkor. Dancers were only permitted to leave the palaces beginning in the 1950s, during royal processions.

Cambodians believed that all rituals connected to Apsara dance brought prosperity to Cambodge. Until 1979, the Khmer Rouge seized power in Cambodge and executed, for the most part, intellectuals and artists. In 1981, the dancers who had survived participated in the opening of the University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh. In this way, they had the opportunity to pass on the tradition to a new generation of dancers.

In 2003, UNESCO recognized Apsara dance as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.

What is an Apsara?

An Apsara is defined as a celestial being in Buddhist and Hindu mythology. Apsaras are women blessed with supernatural beauty, elegant, graceful, and gifted in dance. They play the role of mediators between heaven and earth. It is the royal musicians, called Gandharvas, who generally take them as wives. They dance to the music of the Gandharvas in order to entertain and seduce the gods as well as the spectators in the palaces. Apsara dancers wear magnificent traditional costumes with floral motifs. Their choreography is often centered on hand and foot movements while maintaining an arched back.

Dance in Cambodge is characterized by three main categories: classical dance performed at the royal court used during invocation ceremonies, entertainment, and to pay homage to the gods. Then there is folk or traditional dance which describes cultural traditions and daily life. And finally, social dances, which are performed during social gatherings.

I/ Classical dance developed in royal courts

Originally, classical dance was used to invoke the gods and pay homage to the royal court. It was not until the mid-20th century that this dance was presented to the general public during major public events and for tourists visiting the country. Also called Robam Preah Reach Trop, classical dance dates back more than a thousand years, popular during the time when Angkor reached its height.

It is a form of dramatic art consisting of a language and gestural movement that includes nearly 4,500 postures or expressions. Throughout history, new pieces have been created and the majority of them have been inspired by mythological tales from the Reamker. The two most performed forms of dance are Robam Chuon Por and Robam Tep Apsara.

Following the rhythm of pinpeat music, the dancers perform barefoot and wear headdresses reserved for divinities as well as richly embroidered costumes. They execute slow, stylized movements, accompanied by hand gestures through which they tell a story. It takes ten years of training to become an Apsara dancer. The conditions are similar for the musicians who accompany the dancers.

Today's Apsara dances probably don't resemble what they were before. This is due to the strong influence of Thai culture that emerged in the 15th century. Apsara dances, after being inscribed on the UNESCO list, have become increasingly famous among locals and foreigners.

II/ Popular or folk dances represent daily life

Folk dances, also called traditional dances, are rhythmic dances accompanied by gestures that are not as stylized as classical dance. They are often accompanied by a mahori orchestra playing string instruments and flute.

Folk dancers wear costumes imitating the traditional clothing of inhabitants belonging to hill tribes, farmers, and sometimes peasants. Some folk dances feature stories of love or animals. In short, this dance reflects the daily life of the people.

Traditional dance is divided into two types: on one hand, ritual dances centered on animal beliefs and life. On the other hand, dances dedicated to entertainment centered on human relationships, the world of work, and celebrations. A few examples of folk dances today include Trot, Sneak Toseay, Rbam Kom Araek, Robam Kngaok Pailin, and Chhayam.

Vernacular dances or social dances are often danced during social gatherings. A few examples include Ram Vong, Rom Kbach, Chok Krapeus, Lam Leav, and finally Ram Saravan. Some of these dances, such as Rom Kbach, are sometimes inspired by classical dance.

Cambodia's social dances have also been influenced by other cultures from around the world such as Cha-cha-cha, bolero, and the Madison. Social dances also bear witness to the influence of traditional dances from Laos. These types of dances are often seen at Cambodian festivals and banquets.

Some of the vernacular dances are also accompanied by music played by a pinpeat orchestra playing string instruments such as the three-stringed violin and percussion instruments (bamboo xylophone and dulcimer).

Where to Watch an Apsara Show in Siem Reap?

You can easily attend performances of Cambodian dances in Siem Reap. Khmer dance shows are offered in many hotels and restaurants in the city such as the Oriental Apsara Restaurant. Performances organized in restaurants or hotels often begin with dinner around 18:00 or 19:00. The dinner is then followed by a show composed of 4 to 5 dances of classical and folk types. Most restaurants offering buffets with included performances offer menus between 10 and 25 USD.

Furthermore, you can also see performances in theaters such as the Apsara Theater. Performances are organized between 20:00 and 21:30 every day. Other performance venues will also welcome you with open arms, such as Angkor Village Theater, Kullen II, and others.

The Annual Season of the Royal Ballet in Phnom Penh

Renowned for its graceful gestures and sumptuous costumes, the Royal Ballet of Cambodge is a vibrant symbol of Khmer identity. Its performances traditionally accompanied major events of the royal family, such as coronations and weddings, for more than a thousand years. Recently, the Royal Ballet of Cambodge is, however, open to the general public during its annual season in Phnom Penh, in January. This is a unique opportunity to witness this ancient art form, inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

For more information, you can visit the Royal Ballet's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/balletroyalducambodge/

And the UNESCO article dedicated to the Royal Ballet of Cambodge: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/royal-ballet-of-cambodia-00060