Take a VIRTUAL
Dance Lesson!

Here's an opportunity to take an introductory Monkey Dance lesson from expert teacher Samnang Hor. See what it's like to be in an actual class!

Simply click on the video below, and get ready to learn some basic steps of the Monkey Dance, just as if you were in the class, one on one!

Want to find out more?

Go to our programs to learn about the different levels of classes we offer, the times and the places.

Scenes from the Monkey Dance

The Monkey Dance is a Khmer classical dance that is an excerpt from a famous Cambodian legend called the Reamker. Monkeys fight evil and are army soldiers in Cambodian legend. In this dance, the soldiers are celebrating a big win.

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The Khmer Monkey Dance is one of the many Khmer dances taught by Master Teachers at the Angkor Dance Troupe. Check out our current programs to see how you can participate in one of our activities.

View a Performance of the Monkey Dance

Learn How You Can Book a Performance . . .

The Angkor Dance Troupe regularly performs classical and folk dances throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and surrounding states for organizations and educational institutions. Learn more about how you can arrange to have us perform especially for you!

Background of the Monkey Dance

The Swva (monkey) Pol (warrior) dance is an excerpt from a famous Cambodian legend called the Reamker (Ree-um-Kay), which is a long story that would take many days to tell. Many Cambodian classical dances come from this tale. In Cambodian legend, monkeys always fight evil; in fact they are army soldiers. In this dance, the soldiers are celebrating a big win. They are gathering food for a feast. The monkey dance is lively and acrobatic, always performed by young boys, who capture the spirit and quick mannerisms of monkeys.

Following the original dance, the Troupe features choreography with elements of modern dance. But, if you watch carefully, you will see the dancers remain, throughout, Swva Pol, the monkeys. By juxtaposing the two, you can see how the new emerges from the old, and how the two can exist dynamically side-by-side.

Costumes

The beauty and exquisite appearance of each dancer in the Monkey Dance is preceded by an elaborate preparation time where each dancer prepares not only physically but mentally for the role they will perform. Take a sneak peak backstage to view how master teachers prepare performers to dance the Monkey Dance.

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Learn more about the costuming through the many programs we offer to youth.