The Traditional Musical Instruments on Myanmar
  • The traditional musical instruments of Myanmar were prominent throughout the nation’s history. The instruments were developed as early as the Pyu Era, Bagan Era and many were dominant features of music during the Innwa Era and Konbaung Era. While some of these instruments have been preserved and are used today, others have been lost to history. In an attempt to preserve the traditional musical instruments of Myanmar, the Ministry of Culture displayed traditional instruments and distributed the books about the instruments during an exhibition in 1955. This research shows thirty-three kinds of instruments. Moreover, in a 2003 celebration of traditional instruments, the Ministry of Culture exhibited over two hundred traditional instruments at the national museum. While the instruments on display were representative of many regions and states, many instruments were not included. Because of this lack of full representativeness, additional research through field studies is required. This project proposal addresses this need. To create a preliminary basis towards developing a national ICH inventory of craftsmanship and performing arts of traditional musical instruments in Myanmar. To safeguard ICH related to the craftsmanship and performing arts of traditional musical instruments and to promote cultural diversity among multi- ethnic groups in Myanmar. To raise awareness of the Myanmar public on the importance of ICH. To expand networking and information sharing between Myanmar and Korea.
The Traditional Musical Instruments on Myanmar 
  • The traditional musical instruments of Myanmar were prominent throughout the nation’s history.
The instruments were developed as early as the Pyu Era, Bagan Era and many were dominant features of music during the Innwa Era and Konbaung Era.

While some of these instruments have been preserved and are used today, others have been lost to history.
In an attempt to preserve the traditional musical instruments of Myanmar, the Ministry of Culture displayed traditional instruments and distributed the books about the instruments during an exhibition in 1955. This research shows thirty-three kinds of instruments. Moreover, in a 2003 celebration of traditional instruments, the Ministry of Culture exhibited over two hundred traditional instruments at the national museum.
While the instruments on display were representative of many regions and states, many instruments were not included.
Because of this lack of full representativeness, additional research through field studies is required. This project proposal addresses this need.

To create a preliminary basis towards developing a national ICH inventory of craftsmanship and performing arts of traditional musical instruments in Myanmar.
To safeguard ICH related to the craftsmanship and performing arts of traditional musical instruments and to promote cultural diversity among multi- ethnic groups in Myanmar.
To raise awareness of the Myanmar public on the importance of ICH.
To expand networking and information sharing between Myanmar and Korea.

Videos

Vat-gine (Crescent-shaped Gong) Mon Traditional Crescent Gong Vat-gine or crescent-shaped gong is one of the Mon traditional musical instruments that has been used since the ancient time. The original crescent-shaped gong was consisted of 14 gongs and used to be played only in Nat (Spirit) propitiation ceremony. But, an additional gong tuned to Nga Pauk (Fifth Note) is added to play since the late 1962. The Crescent-shaped gong consists of 14 gongs which are arranged in ascending order from right to left. The pitch of gongs is higher from left to right and the player has to strike them with two mallets. This crescent-shaped gong is played in Mon national celebrations, Hin-tha dance, solo dance performance, Mon traditional dance and national ceremonies such as Union Day and Mon National day. Firstly, the two ends of fine Yamanay wood is smeared with mud. After its bark is stripped off, the log is smeared with mud again and left for six months to dry by itself so that the wood becomes well seasoned. The rattans are attached to arrange the 13 crescent-shaped gongs. It is painted with the original color of the wood and embellished in Mon traditional decorations. The left side of instrument is carved into head of Kainnayi bird and the right one its tail. The stands are carved into the two legs of this bird. -68 inches in length -46 inches in height -9.25 inches in the breadth of middle hollow -9 inches in length of Kainnayi Head -7.25 inches in tail Kyam (Crocodile Zither) The crocodile-shaped zither was one of musical instruments that Pyu delegation performed in China in AD 802 as part of cultural exchange programme. Michael Sign, one of members of Eastern India Company delegation visited King Bodaw Phaya in 1795, wrote about this musical instrument in his book. There are two types of crocodile zithers, of which one must be played with fingers and other with plectrum. The 3-stringed Crocodile Zither must be played with plectrum by strumming with the right hand, and fretting and plucking the strings with left hand. The first and third strings are tuned to LayPauk (Fourth Note), while the second string to ThanHman Tapauk (First Note). The fine wood must be smeared with mud and left dry by itself. After it becomes well seasoned, it is curved into the shape of crocodile. The body must be made hollow. There is a sound hole underneath in which the sound is resonated. The three strings are stretched from its head to tail. There are two tuning pegs on the jaw of crocodile. The sound hole and the tuning pegs lie in different position. The strings are made of silk or nylon or alloy. Thirteen wooden frets are placed with the use of beeswax under the strings. -68 inches in length -7.5 inches in breadth -10.5 inches in height -17.5 inches in circumference Ta-Lut (Bamboo flute) Ta-Lut flute is made of bamboo. The holes of this flute are to be perforated at distances according to the size of flute. There are a total of 10 perforated holes including 7 finger holes, a thumb-hole, a membrane hole and a vent hole. In perforation process, mark the three divisions on the bamboo stick with the same distance. The lowest finger holes must be perforated at the starting point of second division, and the six finger holes at the same gap according to diameter of bamboo stick. The thumb-hole is perforated on the lower side of the flute at the point half- way between the upper sixth and seventh hole. The vent hole is perforated between the topmost finger hole and the tube end. The membrane hole is between the vent hole and the seventh hole. This wind instrument consists of a hollow tube and has to be played by blowing through a open hole at one end. Its melody includes vibration frequency according to Mon traditional songs. -1 feet 5 inches in length -1.5 inches in diameter Jor/Htaung Tayaw (Upright Violin) Yamanay or Mahorgani wood is used to make Htaung Violin (Upright), one of Mon traditional string musical instruments. Its scroll is curved into the shape of Kainnayi or Hintha birds. There is an endpin under the lower bout. When playing 3-stringed Mon Htaung violin, the instrument is upright and leaned against the player's body. It is played with a bow which is made of horse hair. The first string is tuned to NgaPauk (Fifth Note), the second string to ThanHman TaPauk (First Note), and the third string to LayPauk (Fourth note). The strings are made of silk or nylon. There is no fret on its finger board, and it must be played by pressing the strings with the fingertips from up to down. It can play the scales of flat and sharp notes. -29 inches in length -5.25 inches in height of body Hta-na (Crocodile-shaped Harp) The body of harp is made of Ya-Ma-Nay wood. The wood is into shape of crocodile before it is completely dry after being smeared with mud for several months. The top of the resonator body is tightly stretched with a deer or goat skin with small sound holes. The sound box is embellished in Mon traditional decoration. The crocodile's tail-shaped neck endpiece of harp is decorated with Hin-tha bird. The tuning pegs are fixed along the neck. The strings are made of silk or cotton or nylon. The strings are tuned in traditional way. It is played in similar way of playing Myanmar traditional harp. Today, the number of strings have been increased to 15 to 16 in order to add the additional notes. -39 inches in length -29.75 inches in height -7.5 inches in body height Karean Harp (Nar Dane or the kind of string instrument) The body of the harp is made of good quality Padauk wood. It is not as same as the Myanmar Harp because it is curved in the shape of the hull of a boat. The arm of the harp is made of PJn:ma (kind of large timber tree/ larger stroemiaspecion). The floral scroll-work is curved at the top of the arm and the square shape of the peg is used to tune the strings of harp. The reed of the harp is made of cutch wood. The body of young cow’s skin is covered the body of sound body. There are nine harp strings that are put on it. The creeper strings and the cane strings were yarned together as the harp strings which were used in the past time. Nowadays, steel strings are put on as the harp strings. When making the Karean harp ,first, go to the deep forest and make offering consisting of hands of bananas, coconut etc. The harp is made to be finished in the forest. Before putting the strings on it, it has to be made to gain magical power using star-flower, jasmine, the rock dammar flower, the frangipani flower, the vachellia flower (kind of fragrant flower) and the tiger-lady (species of orchid ). After making the harp, women don’t touch and hold it to make it more magical power according to Karean’s Tradition or custom. The playing method of the Karean Harp is easy and simple. It can be easily learned to play by hearing musical scale up and down when the skillful player is playing it. After tuning the harp strings, it is held tenderly to the bosom. Left hand is placed with five or six strings for opening and closing tunes. The rest of one to four strings have to be played with the right thumb and forefinger. Lute,Karean Kha Na Lute (kind of string instrument) Good quality of wood is chopped and smoothened. The top and body of the wood is curved. The top of wood has to be bored five holes that are called Nat ThaMee holes (hole in the body of harp). The holes of the body are plugged with wood flat, zinc flat and bamboo flat. It is better if it is covered with leather. Three strings are put on it. The plectrum is made of plastic or bamboo. According to the melody, three strings of the arm of the lute have to be pressed with the right hand and the left hand holds the plectrum and the plays the strings to produce the song. In the past, when young unmarried boys wanted to fall in love with a young unmarried girls but they didn’t dare to say anything to her, they expressed their feeling as song and rhetorical compositions or prosodies by playing Karean lute.Nowadays,it is played together with the other instruments. It has to be played at Karean traditional festivals, Karean plays and Union day ceremony. -35 inches in length -11 inches in the sound body -20 inches in the arm -5 inches in the plectrum Hton Ozi (Drum) The body of the drum is carved out of wood Yamane (Gemelina arborea ) and the membrane is made of tough deer hide . The circumference of the drum is twisted by the leather band made of deer hide to tune. The instrument is rhythmic instrument. The player slung the drum over his shoulder and played by his hand at the Yinbaw’s flagstaff ( Takhuntai ) festival. Since yore, this drum has been preserved and handed down from generation to generation as a traditional heritage. There is no exact record in what year and era it appeared. -104.4 cm in the circumference of the upper side of the drum -68.2 cm in the circumference of the lower side of the drum -47.7 cm in the length of the drum -34.4 cm in the length of the surface of the upper side of the drum -30.2 cm in the width of the surface of the upper side of the drum -20.5 cm in the length of the surface of the lower side of the drum -19.5 cm in the width of the surface of the lower side of the drum -1 cm in the thickness of the leather band is 1. 3 cm The thin of the leather band Man phart (pair flutes) The flute maker cut four bamboo joints stacked by the wood and spread by the beeswaxes. This instrument is a melodic instrument. The instrument can be played together with drum, cymbals and gong at the Yinbaws’ flagstaff (Takhuntai) festival. Since yore, this instrument has been preserved and handed down from generation to generation as a traditional heritage. There is no exact record in what year and era it appeared. -13.6 cm in the length of the pair flutes -4.7 cm in the distance of the pair flutes -12 cm in the length of the shortest bamboo -11.9 cm in the depth of the shortest bamboo -10.6 cm in the depth of the second bamboo -8.6 cm in the depth of the third bamboo -7.7 cm in the depth of the fourth bamboo -1.3 cm in the circumference of the biggest bamboo -0.9 cm in the circumference of the second bamboo -0.8 cm in the circumference of the third bamboo -0.8 cm in the circumference of the fourth bamboo -0.1 cm in the thickness of the bamboo Manhte (Pair flute) Manthe means "begin". The instrument is a harmonic instrument . The instrument can be played together with other instruments at the Yinbaw’s flagstaff ( Takhuntai ) festival. Since yore, this instrument has been preserved and handed down from generation to generation as a traditional heritage. There is no exact record in what year and era it appeared. It is made of the thin bamboo. That bamboo can be got from a long distance. The bamboo is cut as needed and bored holes. After spreading the beeswaxes , they tune a flute. The instrument is made by themselves. -17.6 cm in the length of the flute -17 cm in the length of the shortest bamboo -1.5 cm in the circumference of the flute -0.1 cm in the thickness of the bamboo -17 cm in the depth of the bamboo -15.8 cm in the depth of the bamboo Baun Gyi (Drum, two heads) The body of the drum is carved of Yamane (Gemelina arborea) and the membrane is made of two oxen hide upon the size of the drum. The tuning band is made of oxen hide. In tuning, the leather band is sprayed with water. Now, they use firewood in tuning easy to play. The sound of two heads of the drum is the same. This instrument is made by themselves. This instrument is rhythmic instrument. Since time immemorial, the drum was played on the occasions of the wedding , funeral and funfair. Since yore, this drum has been preserved and handed down from generation to generation as a traditional heritage. There is no exact record in what year and era it appeared. -290 cm in the width of the membrane of the drum -310 cm in the circumference of the drum -37.5 cm in the high of the drum -1.8 cm in the thickness of the leather band Lagwin (Cymbals) It is made of bronze. This Instrument is a family heirloom. This instrument is rhythmic instrument. Since time immemorial, the drum was played on the occasions of wedding, funeral and funfair. Since yore, this cymbals has been preserved and handed down from generation to generation as a traditional heritage. There is no exact record in what year and era it appeared. -24.2 cm in the length of the surface of the cymbals -11.8 cm in the width of the hole of the cymbals Hne Palwe (Kayan Oboe flute) This instrument is made of bamboo. That bamboo can be got from a long distance. The bamboo is cut as needed and bored holes. It is learnt that a bamboo is cut only for getting one oboe flute (Hne Palwe). Now, it is very difficult to get long bamboo and so they use water pipe. This instrument which is Bass instrument, can be played together with Kayans’ traditional instruments on the occasions of the wedding, funeral and funfairs. Since yore, this oboe flute has been preserved and handed down from generation to generation as a traditional heritage. There is no exact record in what year and era it appeared. -21.8 cm in the length of the bamboo -25 cm in the length of the water pipe -2.2 cm in the circumference of the water pipe -1.7 cm in the circumference of the bamboo -7.5 cm in the length of the reed -0.4 cm in the width of the reed -1. 5 cm in the distance between the base of the bamboo and the hole of the reed -4.2 cm in the distance between the base of the bamboo and the end of the reed -2.3 cm in the length of the reed’s hole -0.2 cm in the width of the reed’s hole Palwe (Flute) This instrument is made of bamboo. That bamboo can be got from a long distance. The bamboo is cut as needed and bored holes. It is learnt that a bamboo is cut only for getting one flute. Now, it is very difficult to get long bamboo and so they use water pipe. This instrument which is Bass instrument, can be played together with Kayans’ traditional instruments on the occasions of the wedding, funeral and funfairs. Since yore, this oboe flute has been preserved and handed down from generation to generation as a traditional heritage. There is no exact record in what year and era it appeared. -167.3 cm in the length of the flute -4 cm in the circumference of the flute Rawan A Sein (Vazng) Manau Si , Manau Drum Soft wood has to be made hollow and skin ( deer, cow ) is covered at the top of it. It is tightly tied with cane string. Body of it is decorated with the shape of patterns, animals and trees. The playing surface is played with hands to produce sound. Manau drum is slung on the Manau pillar in the middle of Manau ground and it can be played hands. It is played together with gong. -5 feet 2 inches in Length -3 feet 9 inches in Girth -2 feet 5 inches in Width . -1 feet 1 inches in Diameter of right playing surface -3 feet 4 inches in Girth of playing left surface -1 feet in Diameter of left playing surface -3 feet 4 inches in Girth of playing left surface Rawan Kang/Gonggan Mi Gyaung Shar (Bamboo leg instrument) Species of dark bamboo is cut at the desirable measure. It has to keep in the mouth and breathe the air by striking with thumb finger. -5 inches in Length -3 inches in Length of reed Bamboo -25 inches in Width Doro (Two strings instruments) Once, A man went to eat honey from forest ranger. Another man also approached him and asked him to give honey but first person didn’t give him. He blocked the hole with giant stone. A few years later, he went there again, he found that bones. He picked a bone and put on strings on it. This instrument was called “Dor Yaw“. Later, it is made with bamboo and wood. Wood of sweet chestnut is made arm of violin and bamboo is covered toad skin. Two strings are put on it. Bow is made U Hlaing tree that from Putao Township. Bow is put between two strings to create high and low pitch. -1 feet 7 inches in Length -3 inches in Length of sound body -9 inches in Girth of sound body -4 inches in High of sound body -1 feet 3.5 inches in Length of arm of violin Rawan Htu Hta Yaja (Middle hole flute) Once, there was no instrument to play for Rawan ethinicity. One bored a hole on human bone and blown. After that they found that it produced scale so they started using to play .Later it is made bamboo. They use to play it happily when their crops ripe. It is played for Rawan ethinicities festivals. Awai bamboo is cut and the middles potion is bored with knife. Both dried bamboo and fresh bamboo can be used. Air from the lung has to be blown by force and hole has to be pressed with thumb to be made opening and closing to produce tuning. It can be blown all kinds of melodies. -2 feet 0.5 inches in Length -11.5 inches in Length of air hole -2.5 inches in Girth Larchike Wunpawng Sumpyi Chwut La (multiple-tuned flute) Htri bamboo is cut necessary size and it is perforated with heated Iron. Once, it was made thick bamboo and it is bored with knife for air hole. It has to be blown from air holes and fret holes are made for opening and closing to produce not only traditional melody but also other melodies. When flute is blowing, air has to be controlled by tongue. It is played together with orchestra brand during New year festival, Christmas and eating first crop festival. -1 feet 11 inches in Length -8.5 inches in Length with cover -5 inches in Length of cover -2 inches in Length of tip to bottom hole -1.5 inches in Length of tip to air hole -1.5 inches in Girth of flute Larchike Sanwaitant (three strings guitar) Sarkarwar wood has to be made hollow guitar body, three strings of edible creeper are put on it. Peg is made with bamboo. Three strings are struck by hand. It can be played traditional song of Lusi, Zaiwar, Lawwal and Larchade. It can be played together with drum, flute and gong during special day and ceremonies. -2 feet 3 inches in length -9.5 inches in Length of sound body -5 inches in Width of sound body -2 inches in High of sound body -1 feet 6 inches in Length of arm of guitar Larchike SheeTant (two strings violin) Yamanay has to made a hollow body and two gunny twines are attached same sizes. Bow strings is made with gunny twines and the arm of bow is made cane. There is a hole bottom of sound body to produce song. Bow is placed between two strings to play. Two strings produce “Tan sound” and Dound sound”. It has to be played at night when drinking intoxication brew. -1 feet 1.5 inches in Length -4 inches in Length of sound body -3 inches in High of sound body -1 feet 1.5 inches in Girth of sound body -1 feet 8.5 inches in Length of arm of violin -2 feet 5.5 inches in Length of the string Larchike New Chon Moe PyawHtwi (Buffalo’s Horn) Before the period of 1963, Lashi/Lachik people settled in the mountain villages. The village head kept the buffalo horn in the house as an apparatus and he blew it for the gathering of the villagers to inform or decide something about the village. The young people also blow it in the sense of enjoyment when their high yielding crops are harvested. Sometimes when the lovers are in different mountains apart, the boyfriend informs his location to his girlfriend blowing this horn. At that time, the girlfriend returns a signal by setting fire something from her location. The buffalo horn has to be boiled to get the flexibility for the desired shape. The big horns require the boiling for three hours at least. As the small horns can't produce the pleasant sound, only the big ones are chosen to make this musical instrument. But the extra large horns have to be blown with a great strength. It's blown by putting a great blow through the mouth-hole. Only those who have the even lip and teeth can blow it to produce the pleasant sound. Usually, the village head blows it in the longer tone while the dating of the lovers with it is in the shorter tone. -1 feet 2 inches in length -8.5 inches in circumference Larchike Yoke Myan Sai Tant Khaik (Single string Guitar) At about 800 BC, one leader of Lashi/Lachik people, WoGyant went to Baijing for the further studies. When he returned to home after completion of his studies, Chinese king gave him a present of Yoke Myan Sai Tant Khaik (Single string Guitar) to him. From that time on, it becomes a national musical instrument of Lashi/Lachik national race. The guitar frame is made of Yamanay wood in the shape of hornbill bird. The jute string was used as the string in the past. But now it's replaced with a number one guitar string. The multiple melodies can be played with it adjusting the tuner at the gesture of crossbow shooting. -1 feet 11 inches in length -10.5 inches in length of the soundboard -7 inches in breadth of soundboard -2.5 inches in height of soundboard -1 feet 5 inches in length of string -13 inches in length of fingerboard Dumba, Pahke Buffalo Horn Oboe Hkranghku Majoi Manaw Festival was traced back to about AD 300. Dumba was first played in this festival. Dumba is played for Htaungkar dance and also for such events as housewarming ceremony, wedding ceremony and harvesting festival. In addition, it’s performed in funeral rite. Different tunes are played for each occasion. Bamboo grows in the wild in hilly region is used to make this oboe. The bamboo stick is needed to be dried first. And then, holes are perforated on it with the use of drill. It has to change the sizes of drills depending on the sizes of oboes. The oboes are in three different sizes_ big, medium and small. Each of them has a total of four perforated holes. A thumb hole is perforated on the lower side with the distance of an inch from the first finger hole. The four finger holes must be made with same distance. Reed made of dried straw is inserted on one end of oboe and young female buffalo's horn is put on another end. Yellow, blue, red and white ribbons are decorated in triangle and diamond patterns on the horn and oboe. The player must blow the reed made of straw to play this oboe by opening and closing the finger holes. -2 feet 4 inches in Length -11 inches in the length of horn -8 inches in the circumference of horn -1 feet 2 inches in the length of oboe -1 feet 2 inches in the diameter of horn -4 inches in the circumference of oboe -3 inches in the length of dried straw reed Arnmyujalu (dry gourd flute) Once, there was a very romantic couple. One day, the wife suffered from a disease. No medicine can cure her disease. One day, while the distracted husband went to the farm, he found a dry gourd on the way. When he tried blowing his flute fixed to the dry gourd, he found out it generated very pleasant sound. So, he got back to the home and blew it for the wife. He found her disease responded to the sound of the flute. He found she was better when he blew it fixing two flutes. She got full recovery when he blew it fixing five flutes. After commonly used it, its medicinal influences disappeared and remained as a musical instrument. Five flutes are made of Marfule bamboo which grows in the cold dry area. One hole is perforated in each flute with a heated sharp iron. The small bamboo sheets are put in each flute as the reed. All five flutes are tied together and fixed at the hole of gourd. For the airproof, the hole of the dry gourd connected with the flutes is covered with the beeswax. The longest flute is addressed as Julumar, the forth longest one is Jululelu, the third longest one is Julumarchaw, the second longest one is Julufufu and the shortest one is Juluteeti. Arnmyu means the gourd. Julu stands for the flute. The compound meaning of Arnmyujalu stands for the gourd flute. Blow into the hole at the top of the gourd moving fingers at the holes of the five flutes -1.5 in length -9 inches in circumference of dry gourd -10.5 inches in height of the dry gourd -1 feet 3 inches in length of the longest flute -1 feet in length of the forth longest flute -11 inches in length of the third longest flute -9 inches in length of the second longest flute -8 inches in length of the shortest flute Lesu Chain-ngo and Gwar Chi-chi-bu (Two fretted guitar) This instrument was firstly created by U Dee Yaw Hel and played in the 19th National Races Traditional performing Arts Competition. First, halve a piece of cassia wood with a length of two and half feet in order to carve it into the guitar body. The reason of having two frets is to produce traditional tunes of two Chain-ngo and Gwar-chichi-bu guitars. Each fret has four strings and there are six sound holes on the guitar body. The upper fret makes Gwar-chi-chi-bu sound and the lower one produces Chain-ngo sound. This two fretted guitar is created to play these two traditional tunes in the same time, instead of playing two guitars. -2 feet 7 inches in Length -1 feet 2 inches in Length of guitar body -10 inches in Width of guitar body -2.5 inches in Thickness of fret -1 feet 5 inches in Length of fret -3 inches in Distance between two frets Lesu Hee Hae (Lesu Violin) Wood has to made hollow sound body that is covered with animals’ skin. The strings of violin was made of women’s hair in the past time. Nowadays, guitar string No (1) is used as violin’s string. There are two strings in the violin .Bow is made of Zee- Shwee plant that grows near iceberg. Its branch has made to be putrid and the left fiber is made as bow. It is bored a hole bottom it to produce sound. It is played according to banjo song that hears from ear. It can play traditional melody. Bow is put between the strings and strikes one beat to the upperand then to the lower string. -2 feet 3 inches in Length -5 feet in Length of sound body -7 feet in High of sound body -1 feet 9 inches in Length of arm -1 feet 3 inches in Girth of sound body -2 feet 8 inches in Length of bow Jeinpaw Dumba (Buffalo’s Horn) Dumba was first played in Hkranghku Majoi Manau Festival, which was traced back to about AD 300. Dumba is played for Htaungkar dance and also for such events as housewarming ceremony, wedding ceremony, harvesting festival and funeral rite. And it is also called as "jinghpaw dumba" Bamboo grows in the wild in hilly region is used to make this oboe. The bamboo stick is needed to be dried first. And then, holes are perforated on it with the use of drill. It has to change the sizes of drills depending on the sizes of oboes. The oboes are in three different sizes_ big, medium and small. Each of them has a total of four perforated holes. A thumb hole is perforated on the lower side with the distance of an inch from the first finger hole. The four finger holes must be made with same distance. Reed made of dried straw is inserted on one end of oboe and young female buffalo's horn is put on another end. Yellow, blue, red and white ribbons are decorated in triangle and diamond patterns on the horn and oboe. The player must blow the reed made of straw to play this oboe by opening and closing the finger holes. The size of Instrument is below. -2 feet 7 inches in length -4.5 inches in Length of dried straw reed -1 feet 5 inches in Length of oboe -11 inches in Length of horn -2.5 inches in Diameter of horn Jeinpaw Maung Ngal (Small Gong) It is created by the art of making items cast or wrought from brass. The striker hits a protuberance on the surface of the middle part of gong. The size of the gong is below. -1 feet in Length -3 feet in Width of protuberance on the surface of face -4.5 inches in Length of protuberance on the surface from the side -2 inches in Thickness Jeinpaw Lin Gwin Ngal (Small Cymbals) It is created by the art of making items cast or wrought from brass. Two cymbals are hit to make sounds. The size of the gong is below. -8 feet in Length -4 feet in Width of protuberance on the surface of face -2 inches in Length of the side Jeinpaw Pyi Htaung (Bamboo Flute) Pyi Htaung flute was Kachin traditional instrument. This flute has been used for about 1000 years ago. Bamboo is used to make the joint of the Jeinpaw Pyi Htaung. Bamboo joint that grows from hill-side cultivation is chopped and dried. It is perforated by using drill. There are a total of 8 perforated holes including 6 finger holes, two vent holes for enunciation. The flute with no reed is called flute and the flute with reed is called whirling flute. It has to be blown from air holes and the finger holes are made for opening and closing to produce traditional melody. Pyi Htaung flute has to be played together with oboe, drum, gong and cymbal. It is played for all kinds of Manao house-warming ceremony, grating party and honorable ceremony. The size of Instrument is below. -1 feet 7 inches in length -4 inches in Length tip bamboo joint from air hole -5.5 inches in Length air hole from finger hole -1 feet in Length of tip flute from vent hole -2.5 feet in gridth Jeinpaw Htaung Ozi (Jeinpaw Long Drum) Wood has to be made one side is big and the other side is small. It is not same Myanmar rounded Pot Drum, it is a slender shape. It’s body is applied black oleo-resin from tree. It’s neck is applied red line and black line. The playing surface is played by hands to make sounds. The specific size of the drum is: -4 feet 4 inches in Length -11inches in Diameter of playing surface -3 inches in Circumference of playing surface -1 feet 5 inches in Length of Kyat Yin -1 feet 2 inches in Girth of Padine -3 feet 2 inches in Length of neck of drum -1.5 feet in Hight of bottom -3 feet 2 inches in Girth of bottom Jeinpaw Mingalar Maung Gyi (Auspicious Big Gong ) Jeinpaw auspicious big gong is using to play for traditional ceremony of eating the first crop, housewarming ceremony, wedding ceremony, new year festival, fire balloon festival and funeral ceremony. It is created by the art of making items cast or wrought from brass. The striker hits a protuberance on the surface of the middle part of gong. Since it has to be played together two Manau big drums. -1 feet 1 inch in Length -5.5 inches in Width of protuberance on the surface of face -8.5 inches in Length of protuberance on the surface from the side -3 inches in Thickness Jeinpaw Maung Gyi (Big Gong) Jeinpaw auspicious big gong is using to play for traditional ceremony of eating the first crop, housewarming ceremony, wedding ceremony, new year festival, fire balloon festival and funeral ceremony. It is created by the art of making items cast or wrought from brass. The striker hits a protuberance on the surface of the middle part of gong. Since it has to be played together two Manau big drums. -1 feet 7 inches in length -4.5 inches in Width of protuberance on the surface of face -7.5 inches in Length of protuberance on the surface from the side -3 inches in Thickness Khatku Wunpawng Sumpyi (Khatku Flute) In 1950, a man, named Paw Shwun Hla Phu,from Sa-non-bon Region, was the very first person who played this flute to express his grief over the death of his beloved wife. With the passage of time, he was able to seek solace and later he played flute in his village. It was so pleasing that he was requested by the reverend priest U Down Phaung Non to give a performance in the church on February 3, 1952, and in Galoun Tahtaung Church for the second time on March 2. On April 6, 1954, his performance was titled Wunpawng Sumpy is. When the chieftain Duwar Zawsai heard his playing, he was asked to entertain. They awarded him for his great performance. Later, Wunpawng Sumpyi flute was played together with gong and two other traditional musical instruments and Wunpawng Sumpyi orchestra was formed. Bamboo grows in the wild in hilly region, which must expose to the sunlight, is used to make this flute. A total of six holes are perforated on this bamboo stick. The second last finger hole is seal up. It is played by blowing into mouthpiece and by opening and closing of the finger holes on the flute. Western music also can be played with this flute. The flute sounds Key C. It is played in some special events such as new year festival, campfire festivity, harvesting festival, housewarming ceremony and wedding ceremony. -1 feet 5 inches in Length -1.5 inches in Circumference -1.5 inches in Distance from mouthpiece to the top -6.5 inches in Distance from mouthpiece from the first finger hole -2.5 inches in Length from the top to the last finger hole Lesu Sagwyechibul (three strings Banjo) The ancestors wore the raincoat made of rope twisted the coconut fiber. After discovering the pleasing sound produced by striking the rope of coconut fiber tied the toe, they untied the rope from the toe and fixed at the wood. Then, they played it for the musical sounds. This instrument was addressed as "Chibul" referring the rope untied from the toe. Chi stands for the tip of the foot and "bul" means untying. The frame of banjo is carved out of hard Poezar wood cut during the cold season. The soundboard is closed with the leather in the previous time but with the plywood in the present time. Three strings are fixed it. The sound holes are bored at the up and down walls of the banjo. The strings are fixed at the wood tuning pegs. 12 sounds can be tuned with this banjo including three different sounds of three strings, three pressing sounds, three pushing sounds and three pulling sounds. This banjo is played in the New Year festival, traditional dance, fun fair, and wedding ceremony. -2 feet of length -7 inches length of the soundboard -3 inches height of the soundboard -13 inches circumference of the soundboard -1 feet 5 inches length of the banjo's arm Lesu Traditional Dance Lesu minorities dance while playing their traditional instruments. Khatku Traditional Dancing Khatku minorities play their traditional instruments.

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