Mute Cambodian apsaras. Discover the magic of the dance of celestial nymphs

Mythical beauty, the ability to seduce with a glance, and otherworldly musical and dance talent are all characteristics of the magical apsaras, female beings of Southeast Asia who have become one of the cornerstones of Cambodian cultural heritage. Their legacy is now taught to little schoolgirls in Cambodia, and we had the opportunity to see one such dance performance!

They can be compared to European nymphs or fairies

These are otherworldly beautiful female beings who, with their stylized dance featuring typically bent fingers on their hands, could enchant any man. Depictions of dancing apsaras appear on the stone walls of temples, especially in the most famous one, Angkor Wat. There should be up to 3,000 images of these dancers there, which proves the significant status they held in ancient times.

During the greatest flourishing of the Angkor period, these dancers had the task of performing sacred rituals, ritual dances, and welcoming important guests in the royal palace. They provided services that pleased both the senses and the spirit and became a colorful part of the already astonishing temple complex.

The fame and significance of the apsaras gradually declined over time, but their art survived for many centuries and is still cultivated in Cambodia today. The local inhabitants are rightly proud of their Khmer past and still keep some of the ancient traditions alive. That is why the dance of the celestial nymphs is very popular in the country, and many young girls devote themselves to its training, starting already in early childhood.

The dance creations are a sequence of complex hand movements accompanied by characteristic facial expressions

There should be up to two thousand such movements, and if one of the dancers wanted to perform them all in sequence, it would take about two hours. The hand movements are also accompanied by hundreds of body positions. However, the movements are not just dance art; each movement holds a certain meaning and message. Thus, even a slight change can alter the communicated dance.

The entire beauty of this art is emphasized by richly decorated costumes with floral motifs, complemented by shiny jewelry and elaborate crowns. Today’s apsaras exactly replicate the appearance of their ancient predecessors.