This is a traditional Ramwong dance song. Men and women dance to it as pairs in a circle.

Notes

Pronunciation

Ngam sang duan ma yeuhn song laa
ngam bai naa muan soo vong ram
(Repeat Verse)

rao len pur sa-nuk
pluang tuk wai ra-gam
kor hai len fon ram peua saa-mak-kee oyee

(Repeat the whole song)

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Ramwong Dance Instructions for the Song Ngam Sang Duan (Beautiful Moonlight)
(for both Partners)

Some amount of improvisation is allowed in regards to how you go around the circle. The important part is to walk to the rhythm of the song. The hand movements are standard.

To start the dance, couples face each other and bow with their hands together (like in prayer) in front of the chest and lower face.

Dancers step in time to the rhythm of the song, while going around in a circle.

Partners can circle around each other while also going around the circle.

The hands are generally held a right angle to the lower arm. The steps below should go from one to another in a graceful, fluid pattern.

Instructions for Hand and Arm Movements

(See basic pose and hand positions in the photo below and see more Ramwong photos here)

1. Left Hand

The thumb and index fingers touch making a circle. The left hand should be at a right angle to the lower arm. The thumb and index finger should be touching where you'd have a belt buckle on your waist. The other three fingers should be spread open.

Right Hand

The right hand should be up and to the right of the face, with the hand at a right angle to the arm and palm facing out, fingers together, except the thumb which goes in towards the palm.

2. Left Hand

Left arm at your side with the lower arm jutting out at waist level and palm facing out (four fingers together pointing towards the floor with thumb in towards the palm). Hand at right angle to lower arm.

Right Hand

Right hand out with the hand facing down at a right angle to the lower arm. Thumb should touch index finger and the rest of the fingers should be spread wide.

3. Reverse Step 1

Left Hand

The left hand should be up and to the left of the face, with the hand at a right angle to the lower arm and palm facing out fingers together except the thumb which should point in towards the palm.

Right Hand

The thumb and index fingers touch making a circle with the other fingers spread out. The right hand should be at a right angle to the lower arm. The thumb and index finger should be touching where you'd have a belt buckle on your waist.

4. Reverse Step 2

Left Hand

Left hand out with the hand facing down at a right angle to the lower arm. Thumb should touch index finger and the rest of the fingers should be spread out wide.

Right Hand

Right arm at your side with the lower arm jutting out at waist level and palm facing out (four fingers together pointing towards the floor with thumb in towards the palm). Hand at right angle to lower arm.

Comments

Ramwong are traditional dances that date back to the 1940's. The government had their Fine Arts Department commission 10 Ramwong dance songs to counteract western dances of the time like the foxtrot. It was also meant to enhance the Thai national identity. Ramwong has it's origin in older Thai folk dances called Ramthon. Thon is a type of drum that was used to mark the beat.