Roneat dek
A Cambodian metalophone with iron sound-plates.
The roneat dek (Khmer: រនាតដែក) is a Cambodian metallophone, comparable to the Roneat ek. It is an ancient instrument made of 21 blackened-iron bars. It may be used in the Pinpeat ensemble and Mahaori orchestra. It is believed to have originated from the Royal Courts before the Angkor period. This instrument is rarely covered with ornamentation on either the bars or the sound box. The roneat dek is analogous to the ranat ek lek of Thailand.
Etymology
In the Khmer language, "roneat" means xylophone, and "dek" means metal or iron. The name likely originates from the roneat dek's note bars, which are made of iron or other metals. The term "dek" is derived from the Dai languages and corresponds to the word "lek," meaning "iron." In related languages, this is reflected in Thai (เหล็ก), Chinese (鐵), Lao (ເຫຼັກ), and Tai Lü (𑜎𑜢𑜀𑜫).
History
The origin of roneat dek is similar to other Khmer roneat genres and thought to predate the Angkorian period, perhaps from the earlier Angkorian period.
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