Having Some Bun...

It's surely more fun when you have some "bun". In Cambodian, the term "bun" refers to the quality of your karma. The more good you have and feel in your life, the more "bun" you must be having according to popular belief. Interestingly enough, the homonym "bonne" also means "good" in French.

What is karma exactly? According to Wikipedia, in Indian religions, it is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies.

Growing up, I always pictured Karma as a tough judge who kept track of every action and reaction in our lives to decide its fate in our upcoming life. Like a type of Karma Police. (why do I have a Radiohead song pop in my mind as I say this? :p ). But then, I always wondered how it tallied everything...In some cases, Karma seems to be fair and it seems to make sense, and I get some comfort thinking good people deserve the good they have and bad people would reap what they sow soon enough...But what about natural disasters? How could an entire nation have the same punishment with a Tsunami for instance? Babies, kids and everyone all suffered the same way all because of their previous life? Were they all in the wrong equally to suffer this way now in the present life?

What if Karma wasn't really a judge but more of a mother: The mother of all souls. Like any parent, you guide and judge what's right or wrong, but parents can sometimes neglect some aspects. What if Karma was a "Karma Momma" who couldn't keep track of EVERY single soul? Could that explain the discrepancies when some situations seem unfair? Like bad people having a great life and good people hustling their entire existence? So it wouldn't be only about how much "bun" someone has or had earned, but also the condition the "bun" was raised or neglected by the mother bun? Maybe?

A Hint of Cambodia's Flavor

The first time I heard this new song from The Black Keys, called Tighten Up, it made me groove right away. But not in the way you would expect. I started flapping my hands like a graceful duck and making little timid smiles...gee, just like when I would dance to a Cambodian Saravan music groove. Cambodian people, you know what I'm talking about. :P

I couldn't help myself daydreaming of a Cambodian wedding reception where the live band would play this song from The Black Keys and it would turn into an edgy Saravan and people from every generation would mix in to dance to it.

Here's a clip of Tighten Up, from the Black Keys:



And now, a Cambodian Saravan...can you hear the similarity?

Cambodian Royal Treat

Every year on Cambodian New Year, Cambodian Apsara (meaning goddess) dancers mesmerize us with their graceful Royal Ballet. Khmer classical dancers use stylized movements and gestures to tell a story much like a mime. Dancers do not speak or sing; they dance with a slight smile and are never supposed to open their mouths (though a few dramas have brief speaking parts).

Khmer classical dance can be compared to French ballet in that it requires years of practice and stretching at a young age so the limbs become very flexible. In the Western society, dancing is synonym of movements explosion, intensity and full intentions in each movements, body expression and covering the dance floor as much as possible.

While we are all conditioned to appreciate the sensational dance movements, Cambodian ballet is showcasing the complete opposite. Rather than exploding, the dancers are somewhat imploding. Their movements are precise, but restrained. Their enigmatic face along with their very flexible hands and feet, trained since their young ages, the Cambodian Apsaras master the Art of self control and balance, wrapped in such a poise and intriguing package. Their movements and gestures are precise and subtle, yet very complex. Commonly performed at public events is Robam Jun Por, a dance where dancers scatter flower petals as a gesture of offering best wishes.

Crispy Voice

In the Cambodian culture, a great singer is required to have a voice described as being "crispy". Crispy meaning so sharp it crisps in your ear...Imagine if an egg roll could sing...Tee hee hee.
I am very proud of my Cambodian heritage and watching videos like this one above brings me right back at home, in my case, in Montreal, where my family is.

Happy Cambodian New Year to all and best wishes for this year of the rabbit!

Sincerely,

Davine