Robam Chayam- Khmer Heritage Dance

Chhayam is a traditional Khmer musical dance. It features the long drum called Chhayam, clashing hand held cymbals, and wooden clappers. The performer would show off their comic masks, combination of drumming sounds, and vocal. Robam Chayam is a dance that has been played and passed on from our ancestor for many century. This dance normally being played during Khmer ceremony which is normally being held at temple or pagoda.Robam Chayam is played in the front line of every traditional event to open up the ceremony to bring harmony.

At the very beginning the music will start its intro by hitting the drum. Then you will hear someone hollering and a minute of pause, a man will hit his bell, then the drummer start playing and another will start singing. A young lady would come out and start showing off her dance and sing along with the men.

My dad is a Chayam player and he had been playing this for many years. He played at different Cambodian traditional event with his friends to open up the ceremony. I carried the Chhayam myself and tried to play with it while walking...it gets pretty heavy. And I probably wouldn't want to do it again because I think my shoulder is going to fall off, but it is so much fun!