khene, khen, khaen, ken

A Lao mouth organ mostly made of bamboo, with pipes connected with a small, hollowed-out hardwood reservoir into which air is blown. National instrument of Laos, with khene music inscribed in 2017 on UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Used among the ethnic Lao Isan, some Tai ethnic groups such as Tai dam in north Vietnam, Muong people, and Lao population of the province of Stung Treng, Cambodia. In Cambodia, central element in lakhon ken ល្ខោនគែន, dance drama genre featuring the khene as main instrument.