Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
It’s Cambodian New Year, Let’s Dance
Cambodian New Year, or Choul Chnam Thmey in the Khmer language, usually falls on April 13 or 14. This year it falls on April 13 and ends on the 15th; yep, our New Year celebration is three days long.
This is year 2560 of the Buddhist calendar. Even though we refer to the Buddhist calendar, New Year has nothing to do with Buddhism; it’s a mix of Hindu and animistic beliefs. According to the Khmer almanac, on the first day an angel came down from Mount Meru and stayed on middle earth for three days.
Anyway, New Year is not about religions; it’s about food, games, singing, and dancing. Food and games are out, so I’ll bring you music instead. Singing and dancing are part of any Khmer celebration. Until recently we even celebrated Pchum Ben (Festival of the Dead) with singing and dancing. But after having about 20 percent of the population slaughtered by the Khmer Rouge, Pchum Ben has become a very somber affair — you rarely see singing and dancing any more.
Now that I’ve managed to depress myself and anyone who might be reading this, let’s get to the music. In my last post, I mentioned that Cambodian dance music is based on folk tunes. The most common source tunes are “Ram Vong,” “Ram Kbach,” “Saravann,” and “Lam Leav.” There are probably a few hundred songs written based on “Ram Vong” alone (Ram means “dance,” Vong is “round” or “circle”). One typical difference between folk/dance songs and pop songs is the use of playful and flowery language in the folk songs. There is also lots of sexual innuendo and plain silliness in most Cambodian dance songs.
All of the songs below were recorded pre-1975. The first three are based on “Ram Vong,” the fourth is “Saravann,” the fifth is “Lam Leav,” and the sixth is “Ram Kbach.”
1. “A Brahmin,” music/lyric by SamEll Kim, vocal by Sombath Teth.
2. “Regret Our Wretched Love,” music/lyric by SamEua Svay, vocal by Sisamouth Sinn.
3. “On Call Everyday,” music/lyric by Hel Aouy, vocal by Savoeun Chea & Sereysothea Ros
4. “At Noon,” music/lyric by Bonchoeun Kung, vocal by Sereysothea Ros
5. “She’s like the Moon,” music/lyric by Nhong Nou & Vinna Mau, vocal by Sem Kol
6. “Srey Khmao Meas Bong,” music/lyric by Nhong Nou & Vinna Mau, vocal by Sem Kol & Sereysothea Ros. (“Srey Khmao” is an endearing term for a dark-skinned female, and “Meas Bong” means “my darling” or “my dear.”)
Published in General
Lidens, I love the dance instruction graphic at the head of your post. Do you dance? Happy New Year!
(My oldest son once drew a comic strip about a caterpillar who took a correspondence course called “Anyone Can Dance” with similar instructional graphics. It did not turn out well for the caterpillar.)
My grandfather made sure all his children knew how to dance and it passed down. My ability to hear the beat and rhythm is not that good, but I can manage to passably dance at functions.
I’m always in awe of anyone who can draw. The only thing I can draw is a stick.
រីករាយឆ្នាំថ្មី, Lidens!
(Boy, I hope Google Translate didn’t boot that. For all I know, it says “Get your bull out of my field.”)
What do you know! Google translation works. Tried Portuguese once, didn’t turn out quite right.
Happy New Year! I’d be interested in hearing about the games.
We do have something similar to chess, it calls Ouk Chatrang. But most leisure games are physical games. And like lots of things, they involve singing and dancing, usually the losing side has to woo the winning side with song and dance. Bos Angkunh is our popular game and one without singing and dancing, Bos Angkunh means throw Angkunh. Angkunh are huge hardened seeds from nuts. Women usually are lousy at Bos Angkunh because we have lousy aim.
This is Ouk Chatrang
Happy New Year, Lidens! I love Cambodian dance, which I’ve seen only on TV. It’s very compelling.
These New Year dances are normal social dances. Our classical dances, the Royal Ballet, are quite dazzling. Maybe that is the one you saw. I’ve seen them on PBS a lot. Though dazzling, Khmer classical dances are boring, I’m not a fan. Few of my relatives fell asleep watching them. My aunt seems to be the only one who loves classical dances.
Oh no. Any food item is welcome. What’s a good traditional Cambodian dish?
Any Cambodian rap out there? I figure any thread these days that can’t make a reference to cultural appropriation is lacking.
I can barely survive on my own cooking, never mind Cambodian cuisine.
I’m pretty sure there’s Cambodian rap.
I have to say, Lidens, all this boasting is not good. Maybe you ought to tone it down a little.
In all seriousness, though, thank you very much for giving us this peek into Cambodian culture. I am enjoying it very much.
Happy New Year. Thanks for the cultural lesson Lidens. I enjoyed it. That last song was very engaging, and I particularly liked “At Noon.”
This is what I love about Ricochet.
There is Cambodian rap. We attended a wedding in Kampong Cham a few months ago and the band did several Cambodian rap “songs.” They also did a Khmer version of ‘Achey–Breaky Heart’ as well as a Khmer cover of ‘Play That Funky Music’. Interestingly, the band warmed up with excellent instrumental versions of ‘Black Magic Woman’ & ‘Oye Como Va’.
Today the city is quiet as a large percentage of Phnom Penh residents are visiting family in the provinces. No traffic, no parties or weddings in the night hours. Blessed peace and quiet, for a change.
Riik riay jool chnam thmei.
I have yet to hear any Cambodian rap during my visits. Lucky me. Cambodian rap just sounds ridiculous.
Black Magic Woman is a staple at wedding receptions.