If you have been to a Khmer New Year party, a village festival or a wedding reception, you have probably seen it: a ring of people moving slowly around a centre point, hands tracing gentle shapes in the air. This is the romvong, one of Cambodia's best-loved social dances, and it is far easier to join than it looks.
What it is
The romvong is a slow circle dance. Men and women dance together in the same ring, moving continuously around the circle with graceful hand movements and simple footwork. In some settings a decorated pole or a vase of flowers marks the centre of the circle. Because the steps are simple and the pace is slow, people of all ages can take part, which is a large part of its appeal.
Where it comes from
The romvong is described as a very old part of Khmer culture. One account links it to ancient ritual dances, performed before Buddhism and Hinduism arrived, in which women danced around a shrine. Over the centuries it became popular as entertainment for celebrations. It is tied closely to Khmer New Year, and it is now danced at national and religious celebrations and at modern parties as well. Similar circle dances are found in neighbouring countries, and among several of Cambodia's ethnic groups, including the Phnong, Krung, Tampuan and Brao.
One of a family of social dances
The romvong sits alongside other social dances commonly seen at gatherings in Cambodia: the rom kbach, the saravan, the chok krapeus and the lam leav. Each has its own rhythm and style, and all of them are danced for fun rather than as performances. If you hear a song with a steady, flowing beat that invites a group to move together in a ring, it is probably a romvong.
How to join in
- Watch for a minute and notice the pace, which is slow and steady
- Step into the ring next to the others and follow the person in front of you
- Keep your footwork small and relaxed; the focus is on moving together
- Copy the hand movements, which are gentle and flowing rather than sharp
- Keep going for the whole song. The circle is the point
Nobody expects perfection. If you lose the rhythm, simply watch the people next to you and rejoin.
The music
Romvong songs have a steady rhythm that suits circle movement. Many modern Khmer songs, from pop to wedding favourites, are written with a romvong feel so that guests can dance to them, and older romvong-style songs were a staple of the golden age of Khmer music.
Playlists for a romvong
For a gathering at home, put two or three slower romvong-style songs first so everyone can find the pace, then mix in faster dance songs later. On Khmer Beat you can browse the Wedding, Party and Traditional Khmer collections for music that suits a circle dance, and save your own playlist to share with family before the event.
Based on published reference material including Wikipedia entries on the romvong and Cambodian social dances. The sources describe the dance in general terms and do not detail wedding customs.