Kayin traditional musicians have urged the Kayin people to preserve Kayin traditional music since the majority of the Kayin people are not interested in playing the Kayin traditional musical instruments.
Saw Mike Aung Kho, who plays Gain (Migyaung Hlyar) and Khanar (zither), told KIC News on May 14 that the number of people who can play traditional musical instruments has been slowly decreasing.
“I always invite the youths to come and learn from me. They disappear after coming for one or two days. They are more interested in other instruments rather than our own traditional instruments,” he said.
He added that training schools should be opened for the traditional instruments to prevent the traditional music from disappearing and traditional music should be played in Kayin zat pwe and other ceremonies.
Kayin traditional musical instruments are only played once a year during the graduation ceremony of the Karen Literature and Culture Association and they are rarely played in other ceremonies.
Only a small number of Kayin people living in the Kayin State and along the Thai-Myanmar border play the traditional instruments and they have nearly disappeared in other areas inhabited by the Kayin people.
“We no longer see youths competing in the traditional musical instrument competitions during the joint graduation ceremonies. A training school will be opened in Mu Saree Village at the foothill of Mt. Zwekabin to preserve Kayin traditional music. We are still discussing about when it will be opened,” said Saw Maung Nyan, chair of the Karen Culture Organization (KCO).
The Kayin youths have lost interest in playing Kayin traditional musical instruments such as Nar Dain (harp), Kha Nar, Thaunt Tun (violin), Pi Par (pipe), Gain, and Bin (Karen Drum).
