Khaen music of the Lao is played through a mouth organ whose pipes, often made out of hollowed out bamboo and put together to be blown to make sound. The mouthpiece where the air is blown by the player acts as a free reed creating audible vibrations that are perceived by the listener. The player also uses his or her fingers to guide the Nup holes that allow for different sounds to be derived. Khaen music is popular in all regions of Lao and is an integral part of village festivals and can be found played in traditional customary practices of the Lao people. Traditionally, Khaen of Lao is transmitted within families and local communities where the Khaen player learns about the musical instrument. To allow for the proliferation of Khaen, several local communities, associations and groups have various initiatives to promote it through formal and non-formal education. Khaen music of the Lao people was inscribed to the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Register of good safeguarding practices in 2017.
02-16-2021