Khmer Traditional Dancing
Cambodia has many festivals and many different dances that are often traditionally played or performed at New Year, wedding, party and so on. There are five different style of dancing such as RamVong, Saravan, Ram Kbach and Lam Liev, that are popular with Khmer people.
Talong Hang Vannra, the presedent of Phnom Penh’s International Dance Club, said that:
“For instance, the Ramvong has a faster and livelier rhythm than the Ramkbach, but the Lamlieu is even faster. In term of the hand movement when you dance the Saravan your hands should flutter palms down, while in the former three, the palms should be lifted up.”
Ngoun Sam Art said that:
“The origins of this dance is the people and people dance around a table these days.”
Not only Khmer people can dance in Ramvong style but foreigners can also dance because the movement are very easy. By the way, Talong said more and more foreigners are paying to learn Khmer traditional dances. He added that
“I’m not only teaching Khmer students and businessmen, but at least 10 foreigners turn up at the Club every weeken.” and “most of them are Korean, Chinese and Japanese. While they work in this country, they tell me they want to learn the customs of the country. They want to join in the fun.”
Andy Brower’s blog on Ramvong anyone? read that:
Anyone who has spent more than a few hours in Cambodia, will have encountered the traditional Khmer dance called the Ramvong, which is basically a dance where everyone moves continuously round in a circle and which incorporates graceful hand movements and simple footsteps. Even foreigners can manage it, though some of my own efforts have left a lot to be desired in the past. At one hotel anniversary celebration many moons ago, I was the only foreign guest and was asked by nearly everyone at the party to join them in the Ramvong. Little did I realise that later that night, a video of the party was played on the hotel’s tv channel and I cringed as I saw myself struggling to match the natural gracefulness of my hosts.
This is probably because many Khmer people belive that all these dance styles help create friendship and happiness among society.
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