Unique Central Highlands folk musical instruments made from bamboo

The ethnic groups in the Central Highlands possess a rich treasure trove of musical instruments made from various types and materials. Their lives are closely intertwined with the mountains and forests, so most of the musical instruments of the Central Highlands ethnic groups in general, and the Xơ Đăng people in particular, are crafted from forest plants, especially bamboo and rattan.

The Xơ Đăng ethnic group in Kon Tum province has many traditional musical instruments, such as the T'rưng , ​​K'lông Pút, water flute, drums, gongs, horns, and percussion instruments. The T'rưng and K'lông Pút are the two most popular instruments among the people. Both instruments are made from bamboo.

The bamboo tubes of the T'rưng, ​​like the strings of a guitar, are a crucial part of sound production. Each tube consists of two parts: the air tube and the resonant bar. The combination of these two parts creates the correct pitch and resonant sound. The instrument is made up of bamboo tubes connected by small, durable, and strong strings. To adjust the sound of each tube, the instrument maker must meticulously shape the mouthpiece of each tube, then listen to and feel the sound.

They believe that the seed containers are the dwelling place of the rice spirit. Therefore, playing the K'lông Pút instrument in the fields will help the rice plants thrive, ensure a bountiful harvest, and bring favorable weather. In addition, the music helps ward off wild animals and is also a way to express love between couples.

Meanwhile, the K'long Put instrument is made from bamboo tubes, and the sound is produced after each tap on the mouthpiece of the tubes. The K'long Put usually has 7 to 10 tubes, depending on the player's style. When performing, the instrument is placed on a stone slab or rested on another tree trunk, and under the graceful hands of the Xơ Đăng women, the melodious sound of the K'long Put resonates throughout the mountains and forests. The people believe that the bamboo tubes used to play the K'long Put are closely related to the tubes used to hold seeds for farming. According to the people of the Central Highlands, playing the K'long Put requires passion. In the past, it could be played for several days. For example, when the rice was flourishing and a good harvest was expected, the people could celebrate by holding a festival in the communal house, bringing out the K'long Put to play and the gongs to beat. The T'rưng instrument is played with both hands and can be played in rhythm with the gongs. Japanese, Korean, and Chinese tourists often come to see it... Besides the T'rưng and K'lông Pút instruments, the Xơ Đăng ethnic group also has a unique water instrument. The water instrument consists of many bamboo tubes of varying lengths, suspended vertically along the stream bank. Stream water flows into the larger tubes, producing low-pitched sounds, while the shorter tubes produce high-pitched sounds. Water instruments are rare and difficult to make; only the elderly know how to craft them. The sound produced by the flowing water through the small and large tubes is truly beautiful. Walking through the stream and seeing these water instruments create a unique and memorable experience…

Heritage Magazine