Parish Spreads Learning Of Traditional Dance Among Young Catholics

Posted: 10th September 2007

Young children learn traditional Khmer dance

KOMPONG THOM, Cambodia (UCAN) -- On the green grass in front of the Kompong Thom church, girls and boys put a smile on their face as they practice traditional dance.

"I am very happy to learn traditional Khmer dance, because I like my culture. I want to become a dancer and a dance teacher too in the future," said Borey Ansotheavy, 13, as she took a 10-minute break. She was one of 60 Catholic youths aged 12-22 learning traditional dance at the parish compound here, about 130 kilometers north of Phnom Penh.

The students, who come from Church communities around Kompong Thom province such as in Kompong Kor, Kompong Rotes, Maneav, Preik Sbov and Tong Kork, attended a one-month dance program the parish conducted.

The program, which ran daily throughout August, taught them the "coconut shell dance," the "fishing dance," the "blessing dance" and other traditional dances. The youths are to teach these in their communities.

The program's two teachers divided the students into two age groups, 12-15 and 16-22.

Mom Sary, a sewing teacher who works nearby, has taken notice of the periodic dance classes the parish has held the past 14 years. "Our church has had this dance program since 1993. The young people of several Church communities of our province have shown great interest in Khmer dance," she told UCA News.

She said she is glad the Church is helping young people develop a love for their own culture and at the same to learn to love each other and work together.

Another dance student, Moa Savin, 17, told UCA News, "I'm not very skillful but I try my best." She explained: "It is quite difficult for me because I never practiced Khmer dancing when I was a child. When the teacher gets upset with me because of my mistakes I do not get angry. I understand she is trying to correct me."

Savin has good reasons to persevere. She said she wants to perform at church inaugurations or at important Church festivals such as Christmas and Easter.

Sitting beside her is Den Savi, 21, who said the course is too short "to learn all the movements."

Van Makara, 18, one of the two volunteer dance teachers, affirmed that "Khmer dance is very important for the Cambodian people, because it is our culture." She learned the traditional art form at another Catholic church, in Siem Reap, about 230 kilometers northwest of Phnom Penh.

Makara admitted it was difficult to teach the students in the Kompong Thom program within a month, "since they are all new to dance." Still she persevered, because "if we do not know it and teach to the younger generations, then we can easily lose our culture."

"If we Cambodians are not proud of our culture and do not make the effort to preserve our traditions, then foreigners will looked down on us," she continued.

A Thai missionary nun praised the local Church initiative.

Sister Porntip Keo King, who works in Kompong Thom, told UCA News: "Many young people in Cambodia have forgotten traditional Khmer dance. For this reason our Church in Kompong Thom has created this program as a way to help our Catholic youth and children appreciate their own culture." The Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary nun added that she appreciates Khmer dancing "very much because it is so gentle."

Article Source: UCAN