Archive

Elements

Khaen music of the Lao people marks_1
English List
  • 1/1
    이전 다음
    확대
  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00000021
    Country Laos
    ICH Domain Performing Arts Social practices, rituals, festive events Traditional craft skills
    Address
    The element is identical throughout the country’s territory with several specific regional characteristics, depending on geographical conditions.
Description The khaen is a mouth organ in which each tube has a reed. It looks like panpipes, but with bamboo (previously rice stalks or sometimes other plants) tubes of variable length, each with a metal reed. One blows into it through an air chamber called ‘marqunamdtow’. The sound produced is higher or lower depending on the size of the tube. It is a favourite instrument used in Lao traditional and folk music. Its design and number of tubes have evolved according to the changes in Lao folk melodies and songs. Today there are three kinds: the khaen 6 (12 tubes), the khaen 7 (14 tubes) and the most successful one, the khaen 8 (16 tubes). The khaen is very popular in all regions and communities of Laos due to its music’s richness and abundance, which represents the nation's soul for its population. The instrument is suitable for melodies and harmonic richness since it can produce several sounds simultaneously, like a piano. Its music is customarily part of numerous village festivals, accompanying traditional songs and dances. It symbolizes popular culture and it is customary for all villagers who listen to it to become actors rather than spectators, by participating actively and joyfully in the songs and dances it offers.
Social and cultural significance The khaen is an integral part of Lao life; an old proverb says ‘To live on a house on stilts, eat sticky rice and play the khaen - that is the true Lao life.’ The khaen is the ultimate Lao instrument and is associated with joy; it represents the symbol of traditional culture and celebrations. It is played both in traditional orchestras and ceremonies in honour of genies. It promotes family and social cohesion, including with very old or handicapped persons who can be involved in preparing and conducting festive events and maintaining a feeling of belonging with their community and nation. The khaen is also an important part of meals and meetings that bring together families and village communities. It has an especially sacred nature among the Hmongs and is also used during funerals to ‘lead the soul of the deceased’ according to the funeral rites. It is thus an element of social solidarity by which people intensely perceive the heritage they owe to their ancestors.
Transmission method The knowledge and practice of the khaen and its music are transmitted especially through the various communities, starting with the family. Cultural centres for children and youth associations throughout the country have practitioners who voluntarily teach and provide instruments for the students. Some schools do the same for their students. Groups of enthusiasts are created in many villages or districts and transmit to young people the knowledge and practice of the khaen, whether through formal teaching methods or not (for example, conferences or exhibitions on traditional culture and local folklore). Various events and performances are also organized in urban communities which seek to transmit knowledge to the public and create enthusiasm. There is also an effort to constantly renew this knowledge to adapt to society's evolution, cultural diversity and technological progress. It is important that the element continues to symbolize identity and continuity for the Lao. The Vientiane National Music and Dance School, as well as other music schools in the country, provide a more technical training for professionals and offer their students many recordings and books allowing them to explore the rich khaen heritage and its methods, styles and history.
Community Practically all the Lao communities are concerned: individuals, families, villages, elderly persons’ associations, women's associations, youth movements, enthusiast groups, art, music and dance schools, art and khaen melody associations, artistic professions’ associations, craft associations, the Lao National Front and others.
Type of UNESCO List Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Incribed year in UNESCO List 2017

Information source
List

Materials related to

Photos