Khen (Mouth-Organ)

May 21 The khen or khene is a wind instrument of Lao origin made out of metal and bamboo. Each bamboo pipe is connected to a main chamber and has a free metal reed (like a harmonica) that vibrates when air is blown into the chamber and allowed to travel the through the pipe.

Mouth-Organ "Khen" Or "Kan" Or "Kaan"

Notes: TWO ROWS OF BAMBOO TUBES OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS, EACH ROW OF SEVEN TUBES TIED TOGETHER WITH BAMBOO STRIPS. BAMBOO THIN-WALLED WITH BURNT AREAS (CAUSED BY "TOASTING" METHOD OF DRYING STEMS). CENTRAL MOUTHPIECE OF HARD WOOD (PROBABLY WALNUT) ATTACHED WITH WAX-LIKE SUBSTANCE. SMALL, CIRCULAR FINGER HOLES NEAR MOUTHPIECE ON OUTER SURFACE. RECTANGULAR HOLES ON INTERIOR SURFACE. "IT WAS MADE BY ON OF THE FEW OLD MEN IN THE KINGDOM WHO HAD THE SKILL TO MAKE THEM (MOUTH-ORGANS) AND THE KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE SPECIAL WOOD, GUM, AND BAMBOO FROM WHICH THEY ARE MADE."(EXCERPT FROM COLLECTOR'S LETTER OF SEPT. 7, 1984; SEE ACCESSION FILE).
Record Last Modified: 25 Jul 2019
Specimen Count: 1

Data Source: NMNH - Anthropology Dept.

Collector: D. M. Clore
Donor Name: Jeremy A. Clore

Accession Date: 1 Mar 1990
Collection Date: 1971 to 1973

Length - Object: 120.85 cm

Object Type: Mouth Organ

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