Imagine a Khmer village buzzing with excitement at the heart of Chaul Chnam Thmei, the traditional Cambodian New Year. Laughter erupts, drums resound, and suddenly, a colorful troupe bursts forth: it’s the Troddi dance, a folkloric spectacle that drives away the evil spirits of the past year to invite prosperity into the new one.

‘Troddi’ is a very popular Khmer folk dance, most often performed on the occasion of the traditional Cambodian New Year ‘Chaul Chhnam Thmei’ to chase away the bad luck of the previous year and wish for good things in the new year. This ritual was also practised during rain-making rites when long periods of drought struck a locality.