Roeung Moni Mekhala
(Moni Mekhala Dance Drama)

In the Cambodian classical dance repertoire, there is the special category of the Roeung, or dance drama. These dances are distinguished by the fact that they tell a story…one that is easily discernable by the characters represented in the dance.

In this case, the story involves two of the Cambodian deities, Moni Mekhala (The Goddess of Water) and Ream Eysaur (The Storm Spirit).

These two have been engaged in a celestial contest of wills throughout eternity, as the Storm Spirit tries to steal a magic crystal ball from the Water Goddess, the source of her enormous power.

At first, the Storm Spirit tries to beguile Moni Mekhala with flattery and charm. The Water Goddess won’t have any of it. Wise to the ways of the Storm Spirit, she rejects his advances and makes a mockery of his efforts. This enrages the Storm Spirit and the battle is joined.

As he advances toward the goddess, Eysaur brandishes his magic axe.  With precision and grace, the goddess counters by displaying her crystal ball, blinding the Storm Spirit and staggering his attack. Frustrated by one repulse after another, the Storm Spirit is forced to concede defeat and withdraw…muttering all the while that he will seek his revenge another time.

According to popular Cambodian legend, the thunderstorm is all that we mortals are allowed to see of this recurrent battle in the heavens, with lightning representing Moni Mekhala’s crystal ball and thunder representing the Storm Spirit’s magic axe clattering across the heavens as it slips from his nervous fingers.

The dance is also said to symbolize the victory of virtue over seduction.

The Moni Mekhala dance drama represents Cambodian storytelling at its best.

The dancers pictured performing the Mekhala dance drama are master dancers/instructors Sochietah Ung (Ream Eysaur) and Yim Devi Dos (Moni Mekhala).