Ro Bam: A unique Khmer dance performance

For the Khmer people, dance is a distinctive cultural feature intertwined with all their rituals. Dance has become a beautiful cultural aspect, an indispensable spiritual nourishment in their daily lives, especially during festivals and holidays. From court dances to folk dances, from temple roofs to courtyards, when the music begins, the Khmer people's steps become rhythmic, graceful, and captivating, following each melody.

The Chằn character, with his fierce face, plays the villain in Rô Băm plays.

The Khmer people in Hoa Hiep commune, Tan Bien district, are one of the rare communities in the province that still preserve and promote the Ro Bam dance, accompanied by the Chhay-dam drum. This art form uses dance as its primary language, and was performed on the royal court stage in the past. It also has other folk names such as: Chan dance, Ram dance, Ong Dat dance… Besides dancing, Ro Bam performers must also use dialogue and singing to express the emotions and personalities of the characters.

The Chhay-dăm dance and drumming troupe in Hoa Dong A hamlet, Hoa Hiep commune, has been built up with the dedication of the Khmer people for over eight years. To raise money for costumes and dance props, the management board of Chung Rut Pagoda, along with village elders and respected individuals, went door-to-door soliciting donations and painstakingly hired teachers from the Mekong Delta to teach the dances properly. Each vibrant costume and precious mask represents the careful efforts of the local people in preserving their traditional values.

The demon character has a fierce face.

Mr. Huynh Bich, a respected figure among the Khmer community in Hoa Dong A hamlet, Hoa Hiep commune, said: “The members of the old dance troupe are all elderly and have families to take care of, so about a year ago, we formed a new dance troupe with young children. The children are still new and not yet proficient dancers, but they are diligent and hardworking in their practice. Whenever there is any ceremony at the temple, the dance troupe performs for the villagers.”

Every evening, the members of the dance troupe gather at Chung Rut Pagoda to practice playing the Chhay-dam drums and performing the Ro Bam dance, waiting for the opportunity to perform for the local people. For a long time, the lively atmosphere of the Chhay-dam drums, the mystique of the masks, and the songs and dances have become symbols connecting today's generation with their ancestral culture and national heritage.

Thanh Thuan, the young man who has found his calling in the role of the Ogre, has a sturdy physique but is incredibly graceful and flexible when performing on stage. “I’ve learned and mastered about 70% of the movements for this role. It’s quite tiring because I have to wear a heavy mask on my head, and it’s stuffy, but every time I perform for people, I’m very happy because I can preserve the traditional culture of my people,” Thuan said.

The roles, passed down from their fathers and grandfathers, are now being shared with the younger generation in the villages. Aware that this is a cultural aspect, the very soul of the nation, the young people diligently practice, both as a way to engage with the culture and to preserve the traditional values of their ancestors.

The Rô Băm dance drama expresses the desire to ward off evil and welcome peace and good fortune into life.

Van Ty, a young man who plays the Chhay-dam drum, said he has loved this art form since he was a child, especially watching the older musicians perform, which further fueled his passion. "When I was little, I tried to practice, but I didn't know how to distinguish between fast and slow drumming."

"After about half a month of training here, we gradually got used to it. Every day we dedicate time to practicing. When we perform the drum routines and see everyone applauding and praising us, I feel very happy and even more proud of Khmer culture," Van Ty expressed.

Beyond its visually stunning and entertaining dances, the Rô Băm dance drama also embodies profound values, clearly and authentically expressing the aspiration for good to triumph over evil, the desire to dispel negativity, and the hope to bring good fortune and blessings to the village through its storyline and characters.

Originating from the royal court stage and associated with ancient stories, the Rô Băm dance drama is loved and captivated by many for its unique characteristics hidden through the dances and masks, along with the myths, legends, and historical tales of the Khmer people.

The plays often reenact ancient tales about fairies, Buddhas, kings, princes, princesses, demons, monkeys, eagles, etc. In these stories, two opposing forces, good and evil, clash, and ultimately, good always prevails.

The Chhay-dăm drum is an indispensable part of the Khmer people's musical dances and dramas.

Venerable An Van Pat, from the management board of Chung Rut Pagoda, shared that the Ro Bam dance performance is meant to ward off bad luck and bring good fortune. The dance troupe will go to each house to perform and wish good things to the people.

Mr. Ngo Van Cam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoa Hiep commune, Tan Bien district, said that depending on the local budget, whenever the team practices or performs, the commune allocates funds to support them and mobilizes resources from various sources to cover their expenses, but there are still no specific regulations. Limited funding is one of the reasons why preserving this cultural tradition is difficult.

The mysterious masks give each character their own personality.

Despite facing numerous challenges, driven by national pride, the Khmer men and women in Hoa Hiep are striving daily, working together with the community to preserve each aspect of their culture, so that each art form will be a product of intellect, a distinctive, vibrant, and unique cultural feature of the Khmer people.

Ngoc Dieu - Hoa Khang

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