The man behind the masks
In Cambodia’s traditional performing art scene, many masters are struggling to pass their skills to the next generation. No one seems to show genuine interest in the performance art.
Tag: traditional
Preserving musical tradition through education
Anith Adilah Othman speaks with Sokim Keat, a young Khmer who teaches Cambodian traditional instruments to the youths, out of fear that someday his beloved culture will be forgotten.
MUSIC FOR THE SOUL
Last Sunday, Musica Felice once again showcased their beautiful sound. The multi-national choir collaborated with traditional Khmer musicians and sensory-impaired children to create a performance that promotes unity and harmony.
Looming crisis for Thai Muslim silk weavers
Thailand’s Muslim silk weavers fear they are a dying breed because the younger generation is not willing to learn or carry out the traditional craft.
Association to hold cyclo race
The Cyclo Conservation Association to hold a cyclo race in Phnom Penh next month to promote the traditional transport.
Architecture and history
Cambodia’s unique architecture has always been a great crowd-puller. In fact, people from all over the world come to the Kingdom’s famous Angkor Wat, Royal Palace and other sites that depict the country’s rich traditional designs.
New Year feast highlight: Num Khmer
It’s the time of the year in Cambodia when everyone’s having epic reunions with their families and creating beautiful memories together.
Malis: Taste of Cambodian heritage
National heritage is an instrumental aspect of a country. It speaks volume of the national identity and the rich history of a nation.
THIS WEEK IN PHNOM PENH
For something quite different, and a bit out of town, at Wat Preah Theat in Takeo, the sixth annual Bonn Phum (literally ‘village festival’) is an on-going attempt to reinvigorate the traditional pre-New Year village festivals.
Parade of national pride
National dress code is not only representing the country but also an identity of the nation. Last Friday, about six representatives from different countries came together to display their traditional dresses at the Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center (CJCC).
Kingdom’s troupe leaves for Singapore
Performers yesterday left for Singapore to take part in the Chingay Parade to be held over the weekend.
What is Chinese New Year without a Lion Dance?
They have no high poles for them to dance on. There is not a large space for them to roll around. None of them speak even one Chinese word.
The colour of fortune and power
When we see red, we think of China because no country is as deeply associated with one colour as China is with red. Red is found everywhere during Chinese New Year, holiday celebrations and family gatherings and in many more occasions among Chinese families.
Royal Ballet: A tale of a relentless art
IT wasn’t a typical weekend in Phnom Penh last Saturday. Hundreds of people – all thrilled and excited – gathered at the Chaktomuk Theater to witness for the first time the beautiful and mesmerising royal ballet performance “Neang Watthana Devi”.
Showcasing Khmer traditional crafts to visitors
To feed growing demand for Cambodian traditional works, Artisans Angkor, the biggest employer in Siem Reap province, is planning an increase in production in the near future.
Water Festival ends as a success
King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen and senior officials attended the last day of the water festival (Nov.23) and the King presented awards to the winners of the boat race.
Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) underway
Phnom Penh’s traditional Water Festival (Nov.21 to 23) was officially opened by King Nordom Sihamoni, and Prime Minister Hun Sen. Neigh on 300 boats, propelled by 19,000 oarsmen, are expected to race on the Tonlé Sap River in front of the Royal Palace.
Chapey grand master dies at age 82
Prach Chhuon, 82 year-old grand master of the chapey, has passed away.
Sleep, sex and stress
Sleep, sex and stress coexist like three personalities in a love triangle. As important as it is, sex is still in many ways a ‘shy’ topic to discuss in the open, more so in a traditional Eastern society.
Japanese Princess Ayako gives up royal status
Princess Ayako marries commoner Kei Moriya at a traditional ceremony in Tokyo.
Cambodian doctors train alongside Chinese snake bite experts
Two Cambodian doctors are in China to study traditional remedies for snake bites.
Same, same but different?
In fact, heated debates continuously erupt among Khmers and Thais about a traditional dance that’s based on the Indian epic Ramayana and features mask-wearing characters in elaborate costumes. Khmers call it ‘Lakhaon Kaol’; Thais call it ‘Khon’.
When the drums speak out for women
Two talented groups showed and proved that traditional music, dance and art are not dead and will never die.
Ken: Uniting the people of Cambodia & Laos
There is nothing better than starting the day with music. But, how about we go beyond merely listening and learn about music – traditional one at that – along with other music and culture enthusiasts?
The sounds of Yaksao
Let’s talk about traditional arts, music and dances in Cambodia. Let’s talk about how these emblems of our identity have continuously maintained to be at the forefront of our lives despite modernity and social changes.
Indonesian trade fair to attract 5,000 visitors
The twelfth Indonesian Trade and Tourism Promotion (ITTP) expo will be a boost for a myriad of sectors in both countries, said Sudirman Haseng, Ambassador of Indonesia to Cambodia.
Unesco-recognition for Cambodian cities still faraway
Little progress so far to get three of its most scenic cities recognised by Unesco.
Author lauds Cambodia’s effort to revive traditional silk weaving
Yuen Yuen Ang, associate professor of political science at the University of Michigan and the author of ‘How China Escaped the Poverty Trap’, lauded Cambodia’s efforts to revive the traditional silk weaving industry.
Killing them softly with her voice
Ouch Savy is the female protégé of chapei master Kong Nay but in Meta House, last weekend, she showed that she was not bound by tradition when she collaborated with Norwegian pianist Ingolv Haaland and bassist Torbjorn Tveit.
Tarantulas: Cambodia’s disappearing delicacy
Eating a fried tarantula has become a popular photo opportunity for tourists in Cambodia. However, this delicacy is in danger of disappearing, thanks to deforestation and over-harvesting of the spiders.
