Khmer dance has become a way that diasporic Cambodians, now living in countries far from Cambodia, celebrate their cultural heritage and share its richness with new neighbours. Our Khmer Heritage Group participates in many cultural events around Auckland including, annual Cambodian festivals, Mt Roskill Cultural Festival, Manukau Refugee Day, Papatoetoe Volunteers Function and Manurewa Family Day. Wide-ranging and eclectic audiences find the elegance and classicism of Khmer dance truly magical. Dances in their repertoire include the Apsara, Wishing, Sovanmacha, Coconut and Peacock dances.
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Richard Ouk
Dance Tutors:
Costumes are an important element in the performance of Khmer dance. They are expensive and the majority have to be imported from Cambodia. Mrs Chansary Nuon has spent many hours fitting, making, mending and embroidering the costumes. We are fortunate to have a small team of talented people helping with the Heritage group. Acknowledgments include thanking Chakara for bringing the costumes, crowns, dancing masks, and the beautiful golden fish tail from Cambodia, and to Om Soeurn for bringing the extra costumes for making our dancers beautiful with Kong Dai, Kong Chherig Jewelry.
Our young dancers practice this craft one to two nights a week from our offices in Papatoetoe. If you are interested in joining or would like to book the troupe please contact Mr Chakara Lim: chakaralim@hotmail.com, nzkhmertrust@hotmail.com
Short historical overview of Cambodian Classical Dance
Robam kbach boran, or Cambodian Classical dance remains one of Cambodia’s most precious and culturally significant art forms.
“Cambodian classical dance is an elaborate and elegant display comprised of complex hand movements and gestures. Each gesture has its own individual meaning and when combined with others they create a story. The costumes for the dance are an art form as well. Traditionally, many of the headpieces and jewelry were made of gold. Because this dance form was an expensive production it was solely performed at the king's court. Many of the dancers came from the court and were taught the form at an early age. However, the dance was not restricted to royalty. Selected students came from various remote villages to learn and practice. Since its inception, classical dance was to inspire the nation and encourage morals and values among the people. Most of the themes and stories told through the dance revolved around divine gods and goddesses...”
Quoted section taken from an interview with master dancer Sophiline Cheam Shapiro by Rashaan Meneses.
In 2003, The Royal Ballet of Cambodia was proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. This event was a milestone in the action to safeguard and promote Khmer classical dance and Cambodian intangible heritage.
Hall of Fame
Rady Kim, Lyta Heng, Savry Yim, Sopharoth, Ly Chhay Heng, Kgna Nuon, Thyda Nuon, Serisambath Nuon, Phoumarith Nuon, Rath Moeurn, Norina Kuy, Yim Bou, Sameth Yim, Horn Yim, Hort Yim, Keven , Kheng, Srey Thea, Srey Nget, Sros, Kong Heng, Naly, Nancy, Lisa, Narng, Acy, Pisey, Nara, Vannath Tek, Lan Chhay Heng, Roatanak Bou, Sreylyn, Thomas Kiet, Ann Kuy, Soreth Un, Pheak, Bunthol Sok, Savreak Yim, Savra Yim, David Pin, Chorvern Pin and Sokunvathey Mao.
"Culture is the sum of all the forms of art, of love and of thought, which, in the coarse or centuries, have enabled man to be less enslaved"
~Andre Malraux- French Historian, Novelist and Statement 1901-1976
