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Miao Playing the Ghenx
by Xiao Kang
The Miao people call this traditional bamboo reed instrument a "ghenx." Many other minority groups also treasure this instrument, including the Lisu and the Wa. In Mandarin it's called lúshēng (芦 笙). For the Miao it has religious significance and is used in many religious ceremonies such as funerals and dleus vangb, a Miao ritual for honouring the dead. The Miao do not just "play" the ghenx, they "dance" or "jump" the ghenx. It is usually the Miao men who play the ghenx, and it is a highly physical activity, as you can see from the short video clip. They often play the drum with it, but usually only on religious occasions, otherwise it is believed to bring bad omens of imminent death. This particular video and recording are from Gǔlínqìng township, Mǎguān county, Wénshān prefecture, Yunnan Province (云南省文山壮族苗族自治州马关县古林箐乡).

Media Clips:
Listen to the Ghenx:

Watch people “Jumping” the Ghenx
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Pix
Playing the ghenx.