Dance and music have a primordial role in Khmer culture, whose original myths suggests that the Khmer arose as a result of the union of Kambu (Hindu sage prince) and an aspara (celestial beauty) known as Mera. Gold headdresses such as this are used in the Reamker story, the Khmer version of the Ramayana, which supports the lakhaoun khaol (all-male dance-drama) tradition. This headdress is used for the human character Neang Seda (Sita). Performances are considered as offerings to the gods. Troupes, associated with the court and village temples across the country-the earliest dated Khmer inscription of the year 611 lists the dancers and musicians who were 'donated' in order to serve the deities of a particular temple.
