08/10/2023
On Saturday the 7th, we were invited to Chin New Year at Marsden SHS to represent our Khmer culture to share the story of Robam Nesat (Fishing dance). We are so honored to share our experiences with these lovely people and it was an amazing event to celebrate.
Thank you for having us and we will love to dance and perform again.
What is Robam Nesat? (Fishing Dance)
This robam is described as a daily life of Khmer farmers and fishermen, who dance with traditional bamboo fishing equipment such as Ang Rut and Chhneang.
In this dance, you see two traditional methods of catching fish that they used of braided bamboo baskets called Chhneang and bell-shaped traps are known locally as Ang Rut. Young women scoop water from the river into their Chhneang which they represent as strainers.
Also in this robam has love and romance which is also the favourite theme in Khmer stories and dances.
At the beginning of the dance, young men come down to the river on one side and women on the other. The dance expresses their joy, happiness and excited they are when they meet each other. As they fish, they flirt with each other. The boys playfully sn**ch the girl’s fishing baskets and they make merry (cheerful and lively actions)
During the dance, the group would have split leaving one young couple behind and they fell in love. At the end of the dance, the group returns to tease and congratulate the couple.
