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Naeng "female character" - represents the female versions of characters (Roles under this class: Phi Leang, Komnan, Ek, Mother, Sovannmacha, Kinnorey, Neak, Yeakheney)

Naey Rong "male character" - represents the male versions of characters (Roles under this class: Bav Preav, Pol Sena, Sena Ek, Ek, Father, Moni Eisey, Garuda, Chao Ngoh, Asura, Mouns Sva, Animal)

Yeak - represents the ogres or asuras (powerful demigods)

Sva - represents the monkeys

Notable pieces: ‘Aspara Dance’, ‘Royal Ballet’, ‘Masked Play’
‘Aspara dance’ shows the flower that symbolises the love for the nation and people

‘Royal ballet’ depicts the story of Hanuman the white monkey who was tasked by the God Rama to save Sita after she was abducted by Ramana

‘Masked play’ shows the fight between Rama and Ramana, and Rama and Sita’s reunion.

Together they tell the famous story Reamker of The God Rama and Godess Sita story

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Cultural diffusion: Hierarchal - the Royal ballet of Cambodia was meant for royalty, eventually spread to the people of Cambodia

Acculturation: Marginalization - during the Khmer Rouge period, they were forced to stop the art and to flee or go into hiding due to Pol Pot's idea of a 'new' Cambodia without intellectuals

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In the year 2003, it was announced the Royal Ballet of Cambodia would be in the UNESCO's list of Intangible Heritage. Following that in 2008 it was inscribed into the list. This protects the sacred culture and allows for it to be remembered for the coming years.

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Images & Videos
Apsara Dance Royal ballet of Cambodia. (2015). YouTube. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://youtu.be/Erbp1Isk96M.

(2017). Timeout. photograph. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/theatre/interview-princess-norodom-buppha-devi-on-the-royal-ballet-of-cambodia.

Jiras, A. (2013). Royal Ballet of Cambodia. flickr. photograph, Seasons of Cambodia. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/seasonofcambodia/8551597699/.

Mohin, A. (2013). Members of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in “The Legend of Apsara Mera,” a story about gods battling giants and about a goddess meeting a prince. New York Times. photograph. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/04/arts/dance/royal-ballet-of-cambodia-at-brooklyn-academy-of-music.html.

Articles
The Cambodian Royal Ballet cultural features. Insightguides.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.insightguides.com/destinations/asia-pacific/cambodia/cultural-features/the-cambodian-royal-ballet.

Lai, O. (2017, August 17). Interview: The Royal Ballet of Cambodia. Time Out Hong Kong. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/theatre/interview-princess-norodom-buppha-devi-on-the-royal-ballet-of-cambodia.

Royal Ballet of Cambodia revisits China: Dance troupe celebrates 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. CGTN. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://news.cgtn.com/news/77556a4e30454464776c6d636a4e6e62684a4856/share_p.html.

Royal Ballet of Cambodia. UNESCO. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/royal-ballet-of-cambodia-00060.

Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, November 5). Royal Ballet of cambodia. Wikipedia. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Ballet_of_Cambodia.

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The dance is considered to be the embodiment of the traditional values of the Khmer/Cambodian people such as refinement, respectfulness, and spirituality. The dance showcases the legends associated with the origins of the Khmer people.

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The dancers will play their roles according to dance pieces. They use their gestures and poses along with their intricate costumes to convey the character in the piece.

Image above:
Left character: Hanuman the white monkey
Right character: King Ravana

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Aspara Dance Royal Ballet of Cambodia

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Naengs, female characters, in multiple costume colours.

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After the Khmer Rogue’s defeat by Vietnam in 1979, dance troupes re-emerged and performances of the ancient repertory and Royal Ballet slowly resumed, expanding their costumes to be more eye-catching and colourful.

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Royal ballet almost ceased to exist under the rule of Khmer Rouge during 1975 - 1979, led by Pol Pot, who tried to kill most of the dance masters and musicians then as they did not fit into his image of a ‘new’ Cambodia, wherein history was to be reset to ‘Year 0’, free from any external influences.

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Attached above was a royal ballet performance for a royal ceremony.

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When is Royal Ballet performed? (consumers)

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When is Royal Ballet performed? (consumers)

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Performances would traditionally be held at royal ceremonies for the royal families, and observances such as coronations, marriages, funerals or Khmer holidays for Khmer public audiences.

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https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Royal_Ballet_Camboda_Apsara_Mera.jpg

Cambodia's Royal Ballet, also known as Khmer's Classical Dance, is a type of performance put on by the Kingdom of Cambodia's dance company.

It is characterized by its soft dancing, luxurious costumes, and accessories. Dancers are seen donning gold and silver in such performances.

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Lack of funding

Not a very popularized form of art, mainly locals who would be keen on watching/paying to watch.
Thus, it is hard to get funding for them to do concerts or paid performances for the logistics needed for such events eg. costumes, locations, training new dancers

Risk of being a tourist attraction/Modern media

In order to gain popularity, the performance may be commodified/commercialized. By doing so, some aspects of the dance may have to be altered in order to suit the preferences or gain the interests of tourists.
Thus, a significant cultural ritual may then be watered down to appeal to modern media and will be treated as a mere tourist attraction.

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One of the earliest records of dance in Cambodia dates back to the 7th century in which it was being performed as funeral rites for kings.
It was also performed in temples during the Angkor period (9th - 15th century). The dancers were assigned to temples and performed for both divine rites and the public.

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Cambodia’s Royal Ballet - TG01 - Group 1

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Cambodia’s Royal Ballet - TG01 - Group 1

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Callie Ng, 1901854H

Angie Ho En Qi, 2002552D

Aqilah Zahidah Binte Zanial, 1906863d]

Ahmad Asyraaf Bin Sulaiman 1900828C