Reamker

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Mural depicting a scene from the Reamker in Phnom Penh's Silver Pagoda
Mural depicting a scene from the Reamker in Phnom Penh's Silver Pagoda

Reamker (riːəmkeː)(រាមកេរ្តិ៍), is a Cambodian epic poem, based on India's Ramayana epic. The name means "Glory of Rama" and was written in the 17th or 16th century. It changes the Hindu ideas to Buddhist ideas and shows the balance of good and evil in the world. The Reamker is also used in various forms of Khmer theatre called lkhaon. The Epic is known to all Khmer people by heart because it is taught in schools and is performed during national holidays. The Reamker have several differences from the original Ramayana, including scenes not included in the original and emphasis on Hanuman and Sovanna Maccha. Although it has striking similarities to the Thai Ramakien, the Reamker was written before the Thai version.

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[edit] History of the Reamker

From the Indian epic Ramayana gave birth to the Cambodian version the Reamker. The intricate carving on the walls of Angkor Wat depicts a scene from the original Ramayana nearly a millennium ago, akin to the wall paintings at Cambodia's Royal Palace and Wat Bo. The Ramayana held its position as India's national epic for two thousand years, but the Khmer Reamker only came into existence in the 16th century. It is believed to be written by a Monk to suite Buddhist ideas but also fit the Cambodian way of thinking. Original in the form of dance drama, the Reamker held its role as an integral part of Cambodian culture since the Longvek era.

[edit] Central plot

The Reamker plots begins with its Protagonist, Preah Ream or Rama was sent into exile by one of the queen mothers who wanted her own son to inherit the throne. After the queen exiled Preah Ream, the true heir to the throne into the forest, his beautiful and faithful wife Neang Seda whom the prince won in a joust follows her husband into the forest. Preah Leak, the younger brother of Preah Ream is concerned about his older brother joins Neang Seda. While entering the forest, Neang Seda and Preah Leak meets the female demon Sophanakha (Surphanakha in the original epic) who first attempt to seduce Preah Ream, and then Preah Leak. Preah Leak, annoyed by the demon's action cuts off her ear and nose. The butchered Sophanakha thirsting for revenge went to her thousand head brother Krong Reap, or Ravana the invincible lord of the island of Langka. Krong Reap secretly goes to the forest. When he first set eyes on Neang Seda, he was awe by her divine beauty. Having sent Preah Ream and Preah Leak with a ruse, he disguises himself as an old, errant and kidnaps Neang Seda. Preah Ream and Preah Leak desperately searches for Neang Seda and in the meantime, they assist the Monkey King Sugriva to destroy his rival Valin and regain his throne. Thanking the two, Sugriva sends the monkey warrior Hanuman to aid them in their search. Hanuman, the son of the wind god flies out to discover that the demon Krong Reap held Neang Seda prisoner on the island of Langka. Hanuman order his soldiers to build a bridge of stone to connect the island Langka to the mainland. While gathering stones, Hnauman realizes that mermaids were stealing stones to prevent the construction of the bridge. He was roused by this and decides to capture the mermaid princess Neang Machha but falls into deep love. The two was in love and thus her and her mermaid army stop tampering in Hanuman's business. The bridge built, Preah Ream and Krong Reap faces each other in combat and with Hanuman's aid, the demon was killed. Preah Ream, victorious in his battles returns to the capital of Ayuthya and ascends the thrown. Trust issues between him and his wife Neang Seda was settled when she passes the trail of fire to prove she is still pure. Afterword, people began to speak out against the queen and she must find refuge with Valmiki the wiseman, where she gives birth to twin boys. They met their father and he immediately recognizes who they are and takes them to his palace, he agrees to have Neang Seda by his sides once more only if she passes another trial. Neang Seda summons the Goddess of Earth to testify her chastity, and ultimately passes.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Humans

  • Rama is known as Preah Ream [preəh riːəm] is the main protagonist of the epic. He is believed to be the reincarnation of the Hinduism deity Vishnu and the husband of Neang Seda and the father to her two boys.
  • Sita is known as Neang Seda [niːəɳ seːda] is the female protagonist of the epic and wife of Preah Ream. She gives birth to his two children, but fails to meet happiness at the end of the story. In the epic, she endured the trial of fire.
  • Lakshmana is known as Preah Leak [preəh leək] is the brother of Preah Ream and his aid to fight Krong Reap and rescue Neang Seda.

[edit] Mythical beings

  • Ravana is known as Krong Reap [kroɳ riːəp] or simply Reap [riːəp] is the main antagonist of the story. He is the brother of Sopphanakha and captured the beautiful Neang Seda to his island of Langka.
  • Hanuman is pronounced as [ha?nomaːn]is the Monkey Warrior who helps rescues Neang Seda. While building the bridge connecting the island of Langka to the mainland, he fell madly in love with the mermaid Princess Sovanna Maccha.
  • Sovanna Maccha is known as Neang Maccha is a mermaid princess who tried to spoil Hanuman's plans to build a bridge to Langka but fell in love with him instead.
  • Sugriva is the Monkey King who sent Hanuman to assist Preah Ream.
  • Sophanakha is the sister of Krong Reap. She failed to seduce Preah Leak and loses her ear and nose as a consequence.

[edit] In Cambodian life

The Reamker is portrayed in Khmer dance theatre called the Lkhaon during New Years and festivals and since it is regarded as Cambodia's national epic, thus taught in schools across Cambodia. Scenes of the Reamker is painted on the walls of the Royal Palace in Khmer style, and its prodessecor is carved into the walls of Angkor Wat and Banteay Srei temples. It is considered as an integral part of Cambodia Culture.

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