đàn K'ni

The ðàn K'ni (also referred to as kani or ko’ni) is a type of mouth fiddle found among ethnic groups in Vietnam and Cambodia. It is one of the oldest surviving folk instruments used today, especially in the Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces. Based on the principles of ancient mouth-resonator technology, the sound of the K’ni is amplified as vibrations travel along a string to the player’s mouth, where the oral cavity shapes the tone. By silently forming syllables while playing, the musician can make the instrument "speak." Given its human-like vocal properties, the K’ni is often referred to as "the voice of spirits" and used in religious and funerary ceremonies. Its alluring sound has also traditionally been used by male musicians in courtship rituals to attract lovers.