Sii so – Karen Spike Fiddle

The Pwo and S’gaw Karen of Thailand have developed a long-necked spike fiddle, sii so, a musical tradition inspired by their Tai neighbors. Holding this slight bamboo instrument vertically so the end of the spike, which runs from headstock through the resonator body, rests on a knee or hip, a musician fingers simple tunes while bowing its single string.

Note: This sii so is marked by several characteristics that make it unique—a bamboo resonator with an open top, sides decorated with circular burn marks, and an ornately carved back; a tapering headstock finely scored in parallel lines; a long tuning peg devised to act as an instrument stand;, a single metal string wound at the end of the peg requiring that it be bound to the fingerboard with twine; and most remarkably, a gracefully arched bamboo bow, traditionally strung with the long black hair of a Karen woman.

With its subdued timbre and limited melodic range, the sii so primarily acts as a drone-like accompaniment to songs of reflection.

Ethnic Group: Karen

Local Name: Sii so

Type: Spike Fiddle (one string)

Class: Bowed Chordophone

Tuning:

Age: Late 20th c.

Materials:
Fiddle: Bamboo, metal
Bow: Bamboo, hair of a woman or horse tail

Dimensions:
Fiddle: 58 x 6 x 19.5 cm / 22.8″ x 2.3″ x 7.7″
Bow: 51.5 x .5 x 5 cm / 20.25″ x 0.12″ x 2″

Location:
Ban Phrabat Huay Dtom (the 1000 Village)
Lamphun, Thailand

Owner / Instrument Maker: Dek Kwae

Catalog Number: 6450