Tic - unique musical instrument of Ta Rieng people

In addition to drums and gongs, the Ta Rieng people in the Nam Giang highlands ( Quang Nam province) also have a rich treasure of folk musical instruments made from bamboo, of which the Tic is a unique musical instrument.

Mr. Zo Ram Om (76 years old, in Dac Ta Vang village, Dac Toi commune, Nam Giang district, Quang Nam province) said: In Ta Rieng language, "Tic" means the sound coming from a bamboo tube. Since ancient times, Ta Rieng people have loved singing and have created many unique types of music and musical instruments; each instrument is used in different situations. Some are used in traditional festivals of the community; some are only played on the fields; some are a means to express love between couples; some are both for entertainment and to scare away birds and animals. Among them, Tic is the musical instrument performed by Ta Rieng people in joyful festivals of the community.

Tic musical instrument of the Ta Rieng people.

To make Tic, Ta Rieng people choose bamboo tubes with even thickness and clear at both ends. The bamboo tubes must be neither too old nor too young, because old tubes will be heavy, and young tubes will distort the sound. After cutting the bamboo, people peel it and dry it on the stove for 1-2 months until the bamboo tube is completely dry before proceeding to the next steps. After drying the bamboo tube, people use a small, sharp knife to make holes, this is one of the difficult steps because it contributes to creating the standard sound of the Tic. Tic is usually about 90 cm long; 5 cm in diameter. Depending on their preferences, Ta Rieng men make square or dart-shaped holes on the body of the bamboo tube.

Tic musical instruments in traditional festivals of the Ta Rieng people.

When performing, the people use a mallet with a handle made of dổi wood to knock on the Tic to create a cheerful sound during the festival. Especially, in the celebration of new rice (Cha ba ri rang), the village founding ceremony, the celebration of the new village house Su moong..., the Tic is always performed. Blending in with the beating rhythm of the Tic are the xoang dances of the Ta Rieng women with traditional dances such as: za zá dance (seed cutting dance), kpiêu zúc zăil (fish catching dance), tuk chen hoong dance (celebrating a good harvest)...

The Ta Rieng man holds the Tic upright in one hand and uses the other hand to directly hit the Tic tube to create resonance in each note, making a tick-tick sound. The Ta Rieng believe that when the Tic is played, the sound is both resonant and deep, signaling a good harvest; the deep and deep sound along with the delicious jar of rice wine also shows gratitude to the gods, ancestors, and grandparents in the celebration of the new rice. The special thing is that the Tic is only used by middle-aged men.

For the Ta Rieng people, the traditional cultural treasure in general and the Tic musical instrument in particular are always the soul that the people preserve and maintain in their original form. Proud of their unique cultural traditions, the young Ta Rieng people have actively received the teachings of the previous generation 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/