History and Changes in Pin Peat Master Worshiping Ceremony

Abstract

The objectives of the article are to study history, background including changes of Pin Peat, and Pin Peat master worshiping ceremony of the royal court of Cambodia. The researcher applies qualitative research by collecting data in master worshiping ceremony 2016 of Cambodia at Secondary School of Fine Arts. Besides, the researcher collects more information at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The result of the study indicates that Pin Peat is originated from philosophers in the palace. There are two kinds of music were assembled. First, Pleng Pin which was called religious song or philosophers’ song in the past. Pleng Pin has originated since ‎Nakhonphanom era (Funan kingdom). Second, Kong Skor in the prehistoric of Khmer. From the word Kong Skor, Kong means gong and Skor means drum. The band aims to play for monarch war. When Pleng Pin and Kong Skor were assembled to play for religious activity and royal ceremony, hence it was called Pin Peat. On occasion of a royal ceremony, the master worshiping ceremony arranges every year. The ceremony originates from San Don Ta tradition ដូនតា aims to worship ancestor’s spirit. In ancient rituals, 33 songs are performed in the name of master worshiping ceremony. However, currently, focus on only the procedure of ceremony and remains 12 songs which were called minor worshiping ceremony. From changing of Pin Peat and worshiping ceremony because of wars. Culture and tradition have destroyed since the Angkorian period in A.D. 802, Colonial-era in A.D. 1860, and World War II in A.D. 1940 to presents. When Cambodia lost the war in the late Ayutthaya era, Pin Peat was owned by Ayutthaya before transfer back to Cambodia again about A.D. 1910. At present, Cambodia conserves art and cultural by basic education institutions and higher education institutions which are in charge of the government and royal court. Thus, Pin Peat and worshiping ceremony is still performing.