What is "chhayam"

Chhayam is a traditional Khmer musical dance.

It features the long-drum (skor chhayam), clashing hand-held cymbals, wooden clackers (Krab), and other noisemakers made of commonly found materials.

The performers show off in comic masks and exaggerated hair styles and make-up. Communal and spontaneous, the combination of drumming, comic exhibitions, and animated vernacular call-and-response vocals (at times nonsensical) are characteristics of Chhayam.