Karen Mouth Harp (Two)

Like other highlanders of the Golden Triangle, the Karen have a strong tradition of playing the mouth harp. What distinguishes their sor khay wa, however, is its sheer size. The instrument is constructed of a sturdy bamboo segment that measures up to thirty centimeters in length. In width, it tapers from roughly two and a half centimeters at the upper half, where a slender, flexible tongue, the reed, is finely cut, to a slender, extended baton-like handle.

With the sor khay wa between his lips, a musician flicks its tip with his thumb or first finger, causing the reed to vibrate. This produces a single, constant pitch, the fundamental tone. The musician is able to create melodies by changing the shape of his mouth and the amount of air in it to bring out different subtle frequencies, or overtones, embedded in the harmonic series that ring with the fundamental.

Note: These two sor khay wa illustrate the variety of forms Karen mouth harps can take, in this case the longer instrument is often played by a woman, while the shorter by a man.

Performed solo, antiphonally, or in unison with others, often as a duet, the mouth harp is heard at social gatherings, in fields as a relaxing pastime, and in jungles as a means to signal location. The mouth harp also serves as a favored way to attract a mate—women play their long sor khay wa with their suitors, who respond on a smaller mouth harp. Able to replicate all vowels, most consonants, and the flowing patterns of speech, sor khay wa tones act as an encrypted language, allowing courting couples the freedom to express their deep emotions through amatory verses.

Yet beyond wooing, entertaining, or signaling, the Karen believe the mouth harp has the supernatural power to speak with souls. Certain sor khay wa melodies are specifically played to expel a patient’s sickness and to call back his straying souls to restore good health. Interestingly, these very same tunes may be used as a form of black magic, able to induce evil spirits to enter the body of others as a means to gain control over them. Only the mind and will of the musician can direct these tones appropriately for their intended purpose.

Recording:
Karen courting song, played on a sor khay wa mouth harp (S’gaw Karen)

Dek Kwae, Ban Nam Bo Noi, Lamphun Province, Thailand, February 2009

Ethnic Group: Karen

Local Name: Sor khay wa

Type: Mouth Harp and Case

Class: Plucked Idiophone (Lamellophone)

Tuning: Free-tuning, based on a fundamental tone on which harmonic overtones extend to several octaves

Age: Late 20th c.

Materials:
Harp 1: Bamboo
Harp 2: Bamboo
Case: Bamboo

Dimensions:
Mouth Harp 1: 28.5 x 1.5 x .5 cm / 11.5″ x 0.6″ x 0.2″
Mouth Harp 2: 26 x 1.5 x .5 cm / 10.25″ x 0.6″ x 0.2″
Case: 23 x 3 dia. cm / 9” x 1.2” dia.

Location: Northwest Thailand

Owner / Instrument Maker:

Catalog Number: 6257