The Khaen music of the Lao people is played with a mouth organ that resembles panpipes but made with bamboo tubes of varying lengths, each with a metal reed (Source: Vientiane Times/VNA) Vientiane (VNA) - The music of Khaen, aLao instrument, has been inscribed on the Representative List of IntangibleCultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific,and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
LaoMinister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdala held a pressconference to announce the UNESCO’s decision in Vientiane on April 2.
Therecognition was declared at the twelfth session of the IntergovernmentalCommittee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage that took placeon Jeju Island, the Republic of Korea, on December 7, 2017.
Aceremony to celebrate the recognition is scheduled to be held on April 11 inVientiane.
TheKhaen music of the Lao people is played with a mouth organ that resemblespanpipes but made with bamboo tubes of varying lengths, each with a metal reed.The player blows into the instrument through an air chamber and the soundproduced depends on the size of the tube.
Khaenmusic is popular in all regions of Laos due to its harmonic richness. It isusually part of village festivals and it is customary for people listening to itto become active participants in the songs and dances, rather than merelyspectators.
Itis an integral part of Lao life that promotes family and social cohesion.Thanks to the use of bamboo, the practice is also linked to natural agricultureand healthy lifestyles. Families play an important role in transmitting the artand Khaen player associations exist in many local communities where youngpeople can learn the art.
Tomaintain the practice in spite of lifestyle changes – including urbanisation –several local communities, associations and groups have begun variousinitiatives to consolidate and promote it through formal and non-formaleducation. In 2005, the Association of Khaen Arts was established and variousfestivals are organised to promote and enhance the art.-VNA
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