The Source of Sound

The Khmu people live in northern Laos and its neighbouring areas. Even though they are one of the tribes indigenous to mainland Southeast Asia, they are now considered to be part of a minority of jungle and mountain tribes. Their importance is still palpable however, during the celebrations in Luang Prabang, Chiang Mai and Kengtung, where they are remembered as the original ‘masters of the land’. The Lawa, Lamet, Khmu and other related ethnic minority groups that speak a Mon-Khmer language, also share another part of their culture.

They express themselves through music characterized by strong vocals, improvisation and poetic structure. Everybody can sing and everyone is allowed to express themselves during the many gatherings where one after the other chooses to share their experiences through song and dance. Intonation, vocal experimentation and volume changes are crucial. They are not interested in keeping pitch and long drawn out tones. They use instruments like gongs, drums, flutes, mouth organs, but also instruments that are made on the spot using bamboo and other plants. They use the instruments to fuse the sound of their voices with the sound of the music or to make interesting sounds by dampening the gongs. When they use multiple instruments, the prefer to divide sounds among different players, which differs from the western practice where one player makes as many sounds as possible on his instrument. Now listen to a hour of Khmu music.

01 Teum Luang Nam Tha 2’26
Anon.
Luang Nam Tha
rec: Fred Gales
soundreporters.bandcamp.com

02 Chant k’mu 6’16
Nang Suy
LP Laos
Musique de l’Asie traditionelle vol. 2
Playa Sound PS 33502, B3
rec: Jacques Brunet

03 Music for the ceremony of the buffalo sacrifice 6’21
The musicians of the Muong village of Ta-Uy
LP Traditional music of Southern Laos
Unesco collection Musical Sources
Philips 6586 012, A4

04 Ma-oi 5’57
Arak
CD Traditional music of Xekong province
Gape 18082006, track 10

05 Pii koon rook reedpipe 1’14
Thongsy
CD Bamboo on the mountains
Kmhmu Highlanders from Southeast Asia and the U.S.
Smithsonian Folkways recordings SFW CD 40456, track 1

06 Toot flute 0’58
En Phongsavanh
CD Bamboo on the mountains
Kmhmu Highlanders from Southeast Asia and the U.S.
Smithsonian Folkways recordings SFW CD 40456, track 14

07 Teum song with pii reedpipe 3’26
Ta’ Manh Ruamchit and Ta’ Suan
CD Bamboo on the mountains
Kmhmu Highlanders from Southeast Asia and the U.S.
Smithsonian Folkways recordings SFW CD 40456, track 19

08 Dav dav bamboo tuning fork 2’06
Moong Thi Sy
CD Bamboo on the mountains
Kmhmu Highlanders from Southeast Asia and the U.S.
Smithsonian Folkways recordings SFW CD 40456, track 31

09 Teum song 2’05
Ya’ Ak & Ya’ Seu Keodaeng
CD Bamboo on the mountains
Kmhmu Highlanders from Southeast Asia and the U.S.
Smithsonian Folkways recordings SFW CD 40456, track 22

10 Briing tube zither 0’55
Plaw
CD Bamboo on the mountains
Kmhmu Highlanders from Southeast Asia and the U.S.
Smithsonian Folkways recordings SFW CD 40456, track 24

11 I am still small like a little child 0’15
Kam Raw
CD I will send my song
Track 3
Accompanying the book:
I will send my song. Kammu vocal genres in the singing of Kam Raw
Håkan Lundström
Nias, Copenhagen 2010

Which mother’s child are you, dear
12 Yuun tiing style 1’10
13 Teem Cwaa style 1’03
Kam Ram
CD I will send my song
Track 10, 13
Accompanying the book:
I will send my song. Kammu vocal genres in the singing of Kam Raw
Håkan Lundström
Nias, Copenhagen 2010

14 Teem dialogue 2’35
Leeng Yoon, Kam Raw
CD I will send my song
Track 20
Accompanying the book:
I will send my song. Kammu vocal genres in the singing of Kam Raw
Håkan Lundström
Nias, Copenhagen 2010

15 Ceem eey 1’28
Khamphoon
CD I will send my song
Track 21
Accompanying the book:
I will send my song. Kammu vocal genres in the singing of Kam Raw
Håkan Lundström
Nias, Copenhagen 2010

16 Khap Baw Saw 2’39
Voc: Po Pan, Khene: Nai Som Thong
Ban Somsay Mueng Oun
soundreporters.bandcamp.com
rec: Fred Gales

17 Suffer and worry 2’25
Voc: Nang Sün Nay Lang
Khap Ou Muang Ngoy Nam Le
Vieng Poukkha
soundreporters.bandcamp.com
rec: Fred Gales

18 Falang soldier in the war time 5’34
Voc: Tao Jan Fon Siiwilai
Ban Mai Muang
soundreporters.bandcamp.com
rec: Fred Gales

19 Teum Luang Nam Tha 2 7’07
anon.
Luang Nam Tha
soundreporters.bandcamp.com
rec: Fred Gales