Cambodia: A pinpeat or traditional Khmer musical ensemble, Ta Prohm temple near Tonle Bati, south of Phnom Penh

The pinpeat orchestra or musical ensemble performs the ceremonial music of the​ royal courts and temples of Cambodia. The orchestra consists of approximately nine or ten instruments, mainly wind and percussion (including several varieties of xylophone and drums). It accompanies court dances, masked plays, shadow plays, and religious ceremonies. The pinpeat is analogous to the piphat ensemble of Thailand. Seen here are a roneat thung or low-pitched xylophone and a kong thom or gong circle.

The laterite temple of Ta Prohm was built by King Jayavarman VII on top of an earlier 6th century Khmer shrine. The result is a well-preserved gem of a temple, not unduly large, but with some splendid decorative features. The main sanctuary has five chambers, in each of which is a statue or a Shiva lingam.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia