 |
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
|