Iu Mien Bell 1

Ling, the ritual Yao clapper bells sounded by Iu Mien and related Daoist-animist groups in Southwest China, Laos, and Thailand, are forged in bronze, brass, or silver.  Because of their spiritual significance in communicating with deities, these hefty handheld bells may be finely embossed with geometric and garland motifs around the bell body or lip, and/or topped with sculpted handles, some of which bear the likeness of P’an Hung, the mythic father of the original twelve clans of the Mien people.

Note: The likeness of P’an Hung sculpted on the handle of this nearly one-hundred-and-fifty-year-old ling bell is well-worn with all the use it has received over countless ceremonies honoring its namesake.

As ling bells are an essential instrument for sacred rites, they rest at the ready on the ritual altars of Iu Mien priests and on makeshift altars at communal ceremonies alongside other prescribed paraphernalia—ritual books, pouches of rice, ceramic teacups with libations for spirits, a bowl of lustral water, paper ‘spirit money,’ joss sticks, cau divination blocks, kim tsin power swords, and ritual musical instruments of chao jae cymbals, bo lor gong, and pang drum.

Ling bells are tolled by Iu Mien priests and acolytes to accompany the sacred texts they recite at specific significant points during major ceremonies. This is so because, with their penetrating timbre, ling are believed to have supernatural powers able to:  communicate with P’an Hung, celestial beings, and ancestors;  train spirit soldiers;  protect the life and prosperity of the Iu Mien community;  inspire trancing animist shamans to travel to the spirit world;  and guide the souls of the deceased on their journey to the ancestor world during funerary rites.

Recording
Sacred Chant, accompanied by ling bells, to call deities to the P’an Hung Ceremony (Iu Mien)

Yang Tung Meng, a hiu lung mien high priest, and acolytes, Ban Huay Chang Lod, Phayao Province, December 2008

Ethnic Group: Iu Mien

Local Name: Ling

Type: Clapper Bell

Class: Struck Idiophone

Tuning:

Age: Late 19th to Early 20th c.

Materials: Bronze

Dimensions: 12.5 x 6 dia. cm. / 5″ x 2.4″ dia.

Location: Laos

Owner / Instrument Maker:

Catalog Number: 5972