Tic – a unique musical instrument of the Ta Rieng people.

Besides drums and gongs, the Ta Rieng people in the highlands of Nam Giang ( Quang Nam province) also possess a rich treasure trove of folk musical instruments crafted from bamboo, among which the Tic is a unique instrument.

Mr. Zơ Râm Ớm (76 years old, residing in Đắc Tà Vâng village, Đắc Tôi commune, Nam Giang district, Quảng Nam province) stated: In the Tà Riềng language, "Tíc" means the sound produced from a bamboo tube. Since ancient times, the Tà Riềng people have loved singing and have created many unique musical forms and instruments; each instrument is used in a different context. Some are used in traditional community festivals; some are played only in the fields; some are a means of expressing love between couples; and some are used both for entertainment and to scare away birds and animals. Among them, the Tíc is an instrument that the Tà Riềng people perform in joyful community festivals.

The Tíc musical instrument of the Ta Rieng people.

To make the Tíc, the Ta Rieng people select bamboo tubes of uniform thickness and that are open at both ends. The bamboo must be neither too old nor too young; old tubes are heavy to handle, while young tubes produce distorted sounds. After cutting the bamboo, they are trimmed and dried over a fire for 1-2 months until completely dry before proceeding with the next steps. After drying, a small, sharp knife is used to carve holes; this is one of the most difficult steps as it contributes to the correct sound of the Tíc. Tícs are typically about 90 cm long and 5 cm in diameter. Depending on preference, Ta Rieng men carve square or dart-shaped holes in the bamboo tube.

The Tíc musical instrument in the traditional festivals of the Ta Rieng people.

During performances, the people use a mallet with a handle made of mahogany wood to strike the Tíc, creating a cheerful sound during festivals. Especially during the New Rice Festival (Cha ba ri rang), the village founding ceremony, the Su moong village house celebration, etc., the Tíc is always played. Harmonizing with the rhythm of the Tíc are the traditional Xoang dances of the Ta Rieng women, featuring dances such as: the za zá dance (seed-planting dance), kpiêu zực zăil dance (fish-catching dance), túk chêm hoong dance (celebrating a bountiful harvest)...

The Ta Rieng man holds the Tic upright in one hand, while using a mallet in the other to strike the tube directly, creating a resonance in each note that produces a "tick-tick" sound. The Ta Rieng believe that the sound of the Tic, both resonant and melodious, signals good fortune and a bountiful harvest; this rich, resonant sound, along with the fragrant rice wine, also expresses gratitude to the gods, ancestors, and elders during the harvest celebration. Notably, the Tic is exclusively for middle-aged men.

For the Ta Rieng people, their traditional cultural heritage in general, and the Tic musical instrument in particular, is always the soul that they cherish and preserve in its original form. Proud of their unique cultural traditions, the young people of Ta Rieng have actively embraced the teachings of their elders to preserve and promote them.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/van-hoa-du-lich-van-hoc-nghe-thuat/202506/tic-nhac-cu-doc-dao-cua-nguoi-ta-rieng-93e0402/