Dance encyclopedia

Royal Ballet of Cambodia

Cambodian classical dance.

Royal Ballet of Cambodia
Image: ' dalbera ' (Flickr user, no real name given) · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

About Royal Ballet of Cambodia

The Royal Ballet of Cambodia (Khmer: របាំព្រះរាជទ្រព្យ, Robam Preah Reach Troap, lit. 'Dance of Royal Wealth') is a classical Khmer dance known for its intricate hand movements and elaborate costumes. Historically linked to the Khmer court, it has been performed at various royal ceremonies such as coronations, weddings, funerals, and Khmer holidays. The repertoire includes various ancient Khmer legends.

The ballet faced near extinction during the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s but continues to be a significant element of Cambodian cultural heritage. It has been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists since 2003.

From the Wikipedia article “Royal Ballet of Cambodia”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.