Lakhon Khol has great resemblance to the Thai Lakhon Khon royal drama dance and thus this acknowledgement stirred some quiestions in the neighbouring country. Yet it was Cambodia that filed their request for registration of Lakhon Khol Wat Svay Andet, also known as Lakhon Khon, to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in March last year.
Lakhon Khol tradition dates back to the pre-Angcorian era of the reign of King Jayavarman II. The original version of Lakhol Khol Wat Svay Andet is now performed exclusively at Wat Svay Andet, the community in the vicinity of the namesake Buddhist monastery some 10 km east of Phnom Penh on the Mekong River. The performance is carried out by masked men and is accompanied by a traditional orchestra and recitation. The dance is performed in honour of Neak Ta, guardian spirits of places and people, which can bring prosperity, good harvest and well-being and thus is linked to the farming seasons.
Lakhon Khol has become the fifth Khmer intangible heritages recognized by UNESCO. Besides, the nation boasts three tangible monuments with the World Heritage status.
Cambodian Lakhon Khol Drama Dance Is Now Intangible Cultural Heritage
News in Asia
Lakhon Khol, a Cambodian masked dance drama, has been recognized by the UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding, a statement from Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has informed the public this week.