evening cultural program in the palace

after dinner, we made our way to the courtyard of the palace for evening entertainment. I am sure we were the reason the program was put on, but it was fun to see a ton of villagers and kids running around, and also there to enjoy the show. 

the program started with 8 village women in traditional dress singing the opening prayers to the show. the singing was very repetitive and chant like. the women leading the songs had lovely strong voices. 

after the women, music commenced with drums, cymbals and horns. there isn't really a melody or common rhythm to the music, but it works together in a unique way. the dancers then came out of the monestary 1 by 1 (8 in total) dressed in really elaborate and colorfully flowing outfits... with vibrant animal masks (representing the animals you meet in the afterlife). they proceeded to dance, spin, and drum to the rest of the music, and then retreated one by one. 

the village kids were all lined up on the edges of the courtyard, and it was so fin to watch their excitement, and giggling enjoying the show. bout halfway through the program, the kids were just running all over playing in the middle of things. 

during the performce, we were served arrak. it was a lethal wheat fermented beverage, mixed with butter and cooked egg. we all graciously drank some... but it must be quite the acquired taste. 

the show continued with two more cycled of the women singing, and them the men dancing in costumes. the second set of costumes were the buddah and spirit masks, and the last wax the monks doing the "black hat dance". 

for the final song, the ladies had us come up and dance with them. it was not a pretty sight, but I think the locals got quite a kick out of it. too bad. no photos of that.