Abstract:
This thesis aims to study the development and transformation of Reum An-re performance from the Lod An-re folk dance of the Khmer ethnic group in Surin Province. The study is divided into two parts: 1) The development of Lod An-re (Ten Sark) in relation to its social and cultural contexts. 2) The transformation of Reum An-re (Jangwa Rum Sark), from the traditional Lod An-re performance. The findings in this study are: 1. Lod An-re is a Khmer ethnic groups folk dance of the Duen Khae-jad (the 5th month) celebration. Prescribed by their taboo, this dance can only be performed once a year. It performs important roles and functions for both the individuals and the community. Lod An-res free dancing steps dance provide an escape from the stresses of their daily obligations and a strict adherence to tradition (especially for women). The dance is, in effect, a rebellion to the traditions and taboos as well as a means to form social bonds among the community members. There are three dance steps in the unique Jangwa Rum Sark of Lod An-re dance: 1) Two styles of Khao Sark dance steps, Jeung Mui (dancing on one leg) and Jeung Pir (dancing on two legs). 2) Two styles of Khao Sark dance gestures, Reum Jakabut (a complete turn) and Reum Jajeh (against the wind). 3) Two styles of finger movements in Rum Robsark dance, Sang Goddai (pressing the fingers together) and Ta-puen-dai (crossing the fingers). Two unique Lod An-re postures that have subsequently been passed on to Reum An-re are Pan Chod (pulling one foot close to the other) and Jan Terd (standing on ones toes). 2. Reum An-re is a reconstruction of Lod An-re dance that has been incorporated into the Elephant Show since 1960. This study found that there are four major phases of Reum An-re transformation. 1) The performing art transformation phase. Only three Lod An-re steps - Jeung Mui, Jeung Pir, and Malopdong -- and their original unique styles are selected and retained. 2) The formal dance styles incorporation phase. The Fine Art Departments dance styles were incorporated, resulting in two additional dance steps of Tha Ok (slow Jeung Pir) and Katpaka (flower picking). Some of the Lod An-re unique styles were retained. 3) The refinement phase. More elegant and formal dance styles in the standardized Fine Art Departments tradition were added; two of them are the Pakumkru (paying respect to the teacher) and Tha Cheum steps. Different original melodies were combined together to allow uninterrupted performance. A number of unique Lod An-re styles were eliminated while others were further refined. 4) The expansion and transformation phase following the changes in the governments educational, cultural and tourism policies that put strong emphasis on the elevation of the folk performance status. At present, there are three styles of Reum An-re: the traditional style (Rum Sark dance steps), the formal style (Rum Sark), and the applied style (Lod An-re).