Northeast Thailand and Laos

Thailand and Laos

Wood, bamboo, silk
Mid 20th century
Height: 16.5 inches
Aerophones – Wind Instruments Proper – Edge-blown Flutes

The wot is a circular panpipe used in the traditional music of Laos and the Isan region of northeastern Thailand.  It was believed to be used originally in a ritual practice, to contact the water god to call for rain before harvest and is said to be over 1,000 old.  It is played by placing the pipes downward with the circular bottom against the chin.  While holding the wot pipes between the hands, rotate the bottom on the chin and blow downwards into the pipes. Today it has become a component in Pong-Lang ensembles from the Isan region of northeast Thailand. The pong lang is a wooden xylophone from the Isan region and this instrument can be found in this collection.