Pinpeat
The Pinpeat (Khmer: ពិណពាទ្យ, pĭnpéaty [pɨnpiət]) is the largest Khmer traditional musical ensemble. It has performed the ceremonial music of the royal courts and temples of Cambodia since ancient times. 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.[1] This ensemble is originated in Cambodia since before Angkorian era.[2]
The pinpeat is analogous to the pinphat adopted from the Khmer court by the Lao people[3] and the piphat ensemble of Thailand.[4]
Etymology[edit]
According to Chuon Nath's Khmer dictionary, the 'Pinpeat' is composed of the Sanskrit terms vina/ pin (វិណ) referring to the pin (harp), which was formerly used as the premiere instrument in this ensemble, and vadya/ padya/ peat (វាទ្យ) referring to an ensemble of instruments.[5]
According to Sonankavei, the professor from the Department of Music of the Cambodian Royal University of Fine Art, the word pinpeat is derived from the combination of two musical instruments including pin (harp) and vadya/ peat, referring to a genre of kong called kongpeat.[6][7]
The Laotian adoption of Khmer pinpeat is called pinphat.[3] The term piphat was also used among Cambodians familiar with the Thai language; this can be attributed to the former annexation of the northern provinces of Cambodia,[5] however, Pinpeat in fact originated from Cambodia.[1]
This list presents instruments which are or have been used in various Pinpeat ensembles.
All kind of Pinpeat ensembles play significant role in Cambodian society and daily life since its origin.
The small Pinpeat ensemble is accompanied in various Cambodian national festivals, Buddhist celebrations, traditional dances, traditional drama, funeral, and other rituals.[10]
While the big Pinpeat ensemble play more role and significance than the previous. These roles include: