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Brief
Explanation
Thousands of years ago the Pin
Peat music is used in many of the Khmer religious
ceremonies. It
was use in before the Ankorean era where now seen
carving left on the wall of the Angkor by earlier
ancestry. With very little information on this music in
writing, Pin Peat has been passed down by imitation and
repetition.
In Khmer history there are many
myth and legend. Even though ancient script and written
legend is very rare to this modern world it is continue
to be taught in some Buddhist Wat. Also the Reamkey
(Ramayana)
dance is the only evidence we have about the myth and
legend. There are books written in India, Khmer, Thai,
and China.
Pin Peat Orchestras Songs and its meaning
Written by Sambo Pich
Mentor by: Master Sambath Pich
Sathoka (Sat-tho-ka):
It is the first song that must be played before other
songs in a Pin Peat orchestra. It is use for respecting
and to invite the spirits of the past teacher for an
offering called “Preakphuk Snong Ka”. This offering is
base on fruit, waters, candles and incents. It will give
the musician a blessing power. One or more of the past
teachers will come to help the musician to learn faster
and play better. And in this song only the samphor drum
is played with the orchestra. Skor Thum (Big drum) is
not use in this song.
In the Cambodian classical dance, dancer and musician
perform the offering “Preakphuk Snong Ka” together.
In a religious ceremony, the musician or the head of the
household has to setup the “Preakphuk Snong Ka” for the
musician. Before the Pin Peat musician can start, this
has to be done. Then the musician will start the
ceremony with the song Sathoka.
Cranai:
Somtuk-Cnong
After Sathoka song is finish,
Cranai is the second song played in a Pin Peat
orchestra. It is a very powerful song; due to the skor
thum (big drums) roaring to the music like thunder. This
song, hundreds of centuries ago, it were use in marching
of the human troops to battle a war with the giant
troops (a mythological creature).
In the Cambodian classical dance, there is a
similarity. In the Reamkey dance, it is played when
Hanuman (the monkey god), a general in the human side,
marches thousands of troops to battle against the
kingdom of giants (Yek).
In a religious ceremony Cranai is use
in many forms of religious purposes. For many
centuries, it is performed in ceremonies such as:
"Boun Pchum" (similarity to Halloween- pay
respect to our ancestor),
"Boun Hae Neak" (the son will be baptized to
become a monk to respect his parents for his birth),
"Boun Moranak" (Funeral -Cremated),
"Boun Chamrean A-Yuk" (thanking your ancestor and
gods for your health),
"Chol Chnam Khmer" (Cambodian New Years)-gather
of friends and families,
"Boun Pka-Prak" (Money Tree)-this is donated
toward the temple.
And there are many more to be named. The song Cranai
is always the second song after Sathoka.
Crowh Nok:
Somtuk-Crhow
After Cranai song, Crowh Nok
is the continuation. This is the 3rd song
played. In the ancient days it was played to celebrate
after a winning victory against the enemies. It is also
to bring peace and happiness to the people and to the
Kingdom
In the classical dance, Reamkey, it is
played in when there is a winning victory between human
or giants.
In the religious ceremony, it is too bring
happiness and peace. It is the continuation of the
Cranai which give the full name “Cranai Crowh Nok”.
This is the 3rd song played in the beginning
of the Pin Peat orchestra.
Chut Reah:
Phleng Dha
Chut is the last song played after the first 3 in the
Pin Peat orchestra. In the beginning is Sathoka
for inviting the spirits of past teachers or ancestry
for an offering and Chut is played to thank the spirits
and wish them back home safely.
Convert into the Cambodian classical dance,
Reamkey, it is played when gods and those who are chosen
by the gods to fly across the land to build the
civilization. This song is call Chut Reah.
***More to come***
If
there is any question on my explanation please feel free
to contact us.
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