Preserving the sound of the Khen in Ngoc Ha

Amid the misty slopes of Linh Ho Commune, Ngoc Ha Village continues to preserve one of the distinctive sounds of Hmong culture - the khen, a traditional bamboo mouth organ. Meritorious Artisan Mua Mi Nam, born in 1984, has devoted much of his life to making, playing and passing on the traditional instrument, while bringing the sound of the Hmong khen to cultural enthusiasts at home and abroad.

Meritorious artisan Mua Mi Nam (center) teaches young people how to make Hmong khen instruments.

Born into a family with a long tradition of Hmong culture and khen making, Nam became familiar with the instrument from an early age. At seven, he could already play a number of technically demanding khen pieces. By the age of 17, he was able to make a complete khen himself. He learned the craft from his father, from selecting the gourd and bamboo tubes to processing materials, assembling the instrument and adjusting the “reed”, a key component that determines the khen’s distinctive tone.

According to Nam, making a khen requires not only skilled hands but also a keen ear and a deep sensitivity to sound. The instrument must produce a clear, resonant tone while retaining the distinctive roughness reminiscent of the mountain winds. That is why he pays close attention to every stage of the process to ensure that each instrument preserves its traditional character.

The khen instruments made by Nam are sought after not only by local people and customers from provinces and cities including Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Dien Bien, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen and Ho Chi Minh City, but also by cultural enthusiasts in the United States, Canada, Europe, China and Taiwan.

The skillful hands of Meritorious Artisan Mua Mi Nam create high-quality Hmong khen instruments.

A khen made by Nam typically sells for VND2-3 million, while more sophisticated instruments featuring intricate craftsmanship and decorative details can fetch more than VND5 million. He makes and sells an average of five to seven instruments each month. In addition to selling them directly, he promotes the craft through social media, connecting with customers from different regions and countries.

Beyond making khen instruments, Nam also offers free classes teaching Hmong children how to play and make the traditional instrument. Seven-year-old Vu Mi Thanh is among the young learners who have developed a passion for the khen. He is diligently practicing breathing techniques, articulation and finger placement to produce his first sounds.

In 2022, Nam’s persistent efforts were recognized with the title of Meritorious Artisan. For him, the honor is not only a source of pride but also a reminder of his responsibility to pass Hmong cultural traditions on to younger generations, preserve the distinctive sound of the khen and help bring the community’s cultural heritage to a wider audience.

An Giang