sounds of Thailand Mien music

ceremonial music	shawm and percussion ensemble	1.2MB
unaccompanied song	sung before a temple ceremony	974KB
dance song with bell	sung during a dance at a temple ceremony	831KB

Most Mien music is for ceremonial purposes, especially for weddings, funerals and ancestor worship and harvest ceremonies. At New Year’s festivals an important event is the singing of the narrative song about the Mien ancestral dog- a story that helps keep their identity alive. It has been reported that the Mien do not have dance music; those in Thailand sing a dance song, however, when going to a temple festival. Alone of these peoples, the Mien have a widely accepted written language (using Chinese characters) and a more complex poetry. Ceremonial occasions are almost always accompanied by a shawm and percussion ensemble. Songs may also be accompanied by a small handbell.

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