Robam Moni Mekhala (Khmer: របាំមណីមេខលា, Moni Mekhala Dance) sometimes known as Robam Moni Mekhala and Ream Eyso (Khmer: របាំមណីមេខលា និង រាមឥសូរ) is a traditional Cambodian dance. It is a rain dance that explores the Cambodian myth of thunder, lightning, and rain associated with Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Most of the time, this dance depicts the fight between Reamesor and Moni Mekhala where Reamesor (Ramasura/ Parashurama) or Ream Eyso attempts to seize the magical crystal ball from Moni Mekhala and this fighting creates a storm. Overview An early record of dance (Khmer: robam/ rabam) is from the 7th century, where the performance was used as a funeral rite for kings. During the Angkor period, dance was ritually performed at temples. The story of Moni Mekhala and Reamesor appears frequently in ritual and Cambodian classical dance. This dance is commonly performed at the New Year's buong suong (propitiation) ritual, marking the beginning of the spring planting cycle. Story The dance narrates the Cambodian myth of rain, thunder, and lightning, which is created from the fight between the strong ugly demon male, Ream Eyso (wearing a long-sleeved shirt), and the beautiful female goddess, Moni Mekhala (wearing a short-sleeved shirt), for the control of the magical crystal ball owned by Moni Mekhala. According to Cambodian legend, a princely manifestation of the earth, Vorachhun, a goddess of the seas, Moni Mekhala, and Ream Eyso (the storm demon) all studied with the hermit known as Lok Ta Moni Eisei. A wise and powerful hermit possessed a magical crystal ball and must decide to which pupil the crystal ball should be given. He proposed a challenge: the students were told to collect a glass of morning dew and the first to present one would be the winner. The following day, the three attempted to collect the morning dew. Among them, Moni Mekhala had the smartest method, spreading her handkerchief on the grass overnight which by morning was damp. She squeezed the dew into the glass and presented it to the hermit. As a reward for her ingenuity, Moni Mekhala was given a glittering crystal ball, while Ream Esor received a magic diamond axe and Vorachhun a magic dagger. Jealous of Moni Mekhala, Ream Esor is determined to seize it at any cost. He plans to seize the crystal ball from Moni Mekhala. En-route to Moni Mekhala, Ream Esor met Voracchun and kills him. Then, he found Moni