Iu Mien Bossed Gong

The Iu Mien bo mang is part of a long tradition of gongs that originated in Southeast Asia as far back as the 3rd century BC, in its vital role to signal and set the beat during sacred and secular rites.

Forged in various sizes as a rounded or flat disk with a turned rim, the bo mang produces rich, penetrating tones that reverberate when struck by a padded mallet. Each gong has a unique timbre determined  by its metallic content, be it bronze, brass, or other metal alloys that include nickel, silver, or iron.

Iu Mien bo mang are fashioned with a central boss, or bell, which produces a tuned note, as opposed to gongs with a flat surface that vibrate in multiple modes, giving them a loud, explosive, sharp sound without pitch.

All major Iu Mien rites and dances are animated by the reverberating timbre and rhythmic heartbeat of a percussion ensemble composed of dzoe drum, bo mang gong, and chao jae cymbals.

The principal celebration of the Iu Mien year, held on the sixteenth day of the tenth lunar cycle, marks the anniversary of the birth of P’an Hung, the founding father of the Iu Mien clans. The multi-day event unfolds in a series of collective offerings, sacred rites, feasting, and dancing, all animated by the steady rhythms of dzoe, bo mang, and chao jae percussion as they accompany the Iu Mien double-reed woodwind, dzat.

This band of male musicians also plays a prominent role during weddings. The penetrating tunes and improvisations of the dzat soar above the driving, synchronized pulse of drum, gong, and cymbals to accompany every phase of Iu Mien nuptial rites—to assemble relatives; accompany the high priest’s ritual activities; welcome guests; inspire the traditional tray dance; and lead the bride and her entourage from her village to the groom’s.

A troupe of musicians on the dzoe drum, bo mang gong, chao jae cymbals, and dzat woodwind also accompanies the hierachy of priests and deities during sacred rites, as heard at funerals and initiation ceremonies inducting acolytes into the mysteries of Yao Daoism.  These musicians are beautifully portrayed in Yao ceremonial paintings, collectively called Mien Fang.

Recording
Wedding Music, played on a dzat shawm and percussion (bo lor gong; chao jae cymbals, and dzoe drum) (Iu Mien)

Nai Sheng, dzat, and male percussion ensemble, Ban Nam Thin, Phayao Province, Thailand, March 2007

Ethnic Group: Iu Mien

Local Name: Bo mang

Type: Bossed Gong

Class: Struck Idiophone

Tuning:

Age: Circa 1940

Materials:
Gong: Bronze
Mallet: Wood, cloth

Dimensions: 6.5  x 34 dia. cm / 2.6″ x 13.3″ dia.

Location: Myanmar

Owner / Instrument Maker:

Catalog Number: 5922