Vietnam’s Central Highlands

Vietnamese: Jarai and Bahnar people

Bamboo, fiber rope, wood
Mid 20th century
Length of xylophone: 32.25 in; Assembled height: 50.75 in
Idiophones – Struck Directly – Metallophones/Xylophones

A Vietnamese bamboo xylophone called a t’rung.  It is common among various ethnic minorities in the Tay Nguyen Central Highlands of Vietnam.   This t’rung consists of 16 bamboo stems graduated in length and tied together horizontally with two parallel cords. The tubes differ in size with a notch/nod at one end and a beveled edge at the other.  The beveled edges are cut away to the correct length for tuning.  It is played by two performers using wooden round-headed beaters to strike the tubes. One performer plays an ostinato (repeated pattern) while the other performer plays the melody.

The t’rung is played during secular events such as following a day of work and evening get-togethers in the communal house.  It can also be heard at weddings and village festivals.