Traditional musical instruments of the Cao Lan people

In Thai Nguyen, the Cao Lan people are a minority ethnic group belonging to the San Chay ethnic group, with a population of over 32,000 people. The Cao Lan people live mainly in the communes of Phu Luong, An Khanh, and Nam Hoa.

The musical instruments of the Cao Lan people are still preserved for the practice of their folk performances.

In their folk culture, the Cao Lan people have musical instruments such as earthenware drums, pí lè (a type of flute), singing tubes, cymbals, bells, etc. These are the main instruments used in spiritual and cultural activities, as well as for accompanying Sình ca singing or Tắc xình dancing, performed during local cultural festivals. The earthenware drum is an important instrument for performing rituals to worship deities, praying for rain, a good harvest, good fortune, and for the Cao Lan people's dances during festivals.

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The singing tube is a musical instrument made from long, straight bamboo tubes. After cleaning and rounding, one end of the tube is sealed, and then two tubes are joined together with silk or nylon thread at a distance of 10 to 50 meters.

One of the important musical instruments of the Cao Lan people is the Pí lè horn. Although this instrument is not unique to the Cao Lan, its use in specific contexts and events varies considerably. For the Cao Lan people, the Pí lè is primarily used in their traditional funeral ceremonies.

Besides, cymbals and bells are also commonly used musical instruments in the cultural life of the Cao Lan people. Cymbals are made from two thin, polished pieces of copper. When played, the two pieces of copper are struck together to produce a resonant sound, sharper than a ceramic drum. Bells are made of copper, 8 to 10 cm high and about 7 cm wide. The knob of the bell is hooked with a steel or copper wire for holding and shaking to produce sound. Today, these traditional musical instruments of the Cao Lan people are still preserved and passed down through many generations, contributing to the preservation of the unique cultural identity of the ethnic community in Thai Nguyen province.

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Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/mien-nui-vung-cao/202607/nhac-cu-dan-toc-cua-nguoi-cao-lan-8f755ac/