Yike
Encyclopedia
Yike is a genre of dance drama from Cambodia
with strong Cham and Malay influences. Yike is performed in nearly every province of Cambodia and by the Khmer Krom
communities in southern Vietnam. The Khmer Krom
have two terms for it, the yike as the rest of Khmer communities, and the yuke which is used to refer to the dance theatre also known as Lakhon Bassac
. In Thailand, there is an analagous theatre called likay although it is vastly different in performance and with the music using a piphat mon ensemble instead of the rebana
(or skor yike) and tro
ensemble as in the Cambodian version.
. For the bulk of the performance however, a dancing style similar to rom kbach is lightly incorporated.
The stories are often of various Jatakas or tales of the Buddha
's life. Performances of the story of Tum Teav
in the yike are also common. It is performed in a circle so viewers could see it from every angle. The performances gained popularity with Cambodian farmers, thus it have changed over time into a theatrical art form to promote the teachings of Buddhism
and Brahmanism.
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
with strong Cham and Malay influences. Yike is performed in nearly every province of Cambodia and by the Khmer Krom
Khmer Krom
The Khmer Krom are Khmer people living in the Mekong Delta and the Lower Mekong River area. Under the Khmer Rouge regime- according to the conservative estimates are that 150,000. Under the rule of Vietnam from 1979-93, Cambodia may have lost 20,000 Khmer Krom...
communities in southern Vietnam. The Khmer Krom
Khmer Krom
The Khmer Krom are Khmer people living in the Mekong Delta and the Lower Mekong River area. Under the Khmer Rouge regime- according to the conservative estimates are that 150,000. Under the rule of Vietnam from 1979-93, Cambodia may have lost 20,000 Khmer Krom...
have two terms for it, the yike as the rest of Khmer communities, and the yuke which is used to refer to the dance theatre also known as Lakhon Bassac
Dance of Cambodia
Dance in Cambodia consists of three main categories: classical dance of the royal court used for invocation, entertainment and to pay homage, folk dance which portrays cultural traditions, and social dances performed in social gatherings.-Classical dance:...
. In Thailand, there is an analagous theatre called likay although it is vastly different in performance and with the music using a piphat mon ensemble instead of the rebana
Rebana
Rebana is a Malay tambourine that is used in Islamic devotional music in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. The sound of Rebana often accompany Islamic ritual such as the zikir. The name Rebana came from the Arabic word Robbana meaning "our God".-Rebana in...
(or skor yike) and tro
Tro (instrument)
Tro is the generic name for traditional bowed string instruments in Cambodia.Instruments in this family include the two-stringed tro u, tro sau toch, tro sau thom, and tro che, as well as the three-stringed tro Khmer spike fiddle....
ensemble as in the Cambodian version.
Performances
Performances of the yike are often commenced with a dance performance called robam yike hom rong which is used for invocationInvocation
An invocation may take the form of:*Supplication or prayer.*A form of possession.*Command or conjuration.*Self-identification with certain spirits....
. For the bulk of the performance however, a dancing style similar to rom kbach is lightly incorporated.
The stories are often of various Jatakas or tales of the Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
's life. Performances of the story of Tum Teav
Tum Teav
Tum Teav is a classic tragic love story of the Literature of Cambodia that has been told throughout the country since at least the middle of the 19th century....
in the yike are also common. It is performed in a circle so viewers could see it from every angle. The performances gained popularity with Cambodian farmers, thus it have changed over time into a theatrical art form to promote the teachings of Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
and Brahmanism.