Dance

The northeastern dance, called 'soeng', is somewhat faster in step and tempo than most traditional Thai movements. Hand and leg movements remain simple with the addition of hip shaking and swaying in a rather sensual manner. The major musical instruments accompanying this traditional dance include the reed organ (kaen), drum, and gong. Sometimes a kind of wooden xylophone, called the 'ponglang' is used.

Traditionally, northeastern dance and music reflect the agrarian society of the region. People dance to entertain themselves during the harvest season. There are several types of 'soeng' but all reflect the fun-loving nature and the colorful lifestyle of the northeastern people. Examples are the 'soeng kratip' (dance with northern food box) and the 'soeng sawing' (dance with a dip net for fishing). Moh lam-moh kaen, performed by a couple of singers and a musician, is a popular northeastern song. It can be heard wherever northeastern people live, in all regions of the country and even overseas.

'Moh lam' refers to the singer, whose art developed from funeral recitals in the olden days. 'Moh kaen' is a player of the reed pipe or 'kaen'. A duet of one 'moh lam' and one 'moh kaen' can draw crowds all night long.

Back to Top