reviving Cambodia's ancient musical traditions

World in Progress | 23.02.2009 | 04:30

Reviving Cambodia's Ancient Arts

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Only few young Cambodians learn ancient instruments like the two-stringed Chapai

Kong Nay is known as the Ray Charles of Cambodia. The musician is part of a movement to save Cambodia's ancient arts.

In Cambodia, a few days ago the first trial against former members of the Khmer Rouge regime started. The Khmer Rouge was responsible for more than a million deaths between 1975 and 1979. People were systematically killed, including intellectuals, artists and 90 percent of all musicians in the country. With them died their skills and knowledge. That´s why today, traditional music is under threat, and people like Kong Nay are so important. The 61-year-old is a master of the Chapei, a long necked guitar with two strings. It's an ancient instrument that is thought to have arrived in Cambodia two thousand years ago.

Report: Rebecca Henschke

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