TAILIEUCHUNG - Speaking to the Spirit World
This investigation focuses on the unique communicative ability of the Hmong qeej, a free-reed multiple pipe musical instrument. Other forms of the qeej are used by various Southeast Asian cultures, but only the Hmong appear to use it to communicate in words with the spirit world. | Hmong Studies Journal Page 1 of 17 Hmong Studies Journal v2n2 Spring 1998 The Hmong Qeej: Speaking to the Spirit World* Gayle Morrison Abstract This investigation focuses on the unique communicative ability of the Hmong qeej, a free-reed multiple pipe musical instrument. Other forms of the qeej are used by various Southeast Asian cultures, but only the Hmong appear to use it to communicate in words with the spirit world. This study is based on oral interviews with Hmong qeej players, focusing on one master qeej player. Discussion reviews the origin legend of the qeej, legendary powers of the instrument, the mystery of the qeej language, training of a qeej player, qualifications of a master qeej player, genre of qeej songs, the role of the qeej in the funeral ceremony, and the qeej as the consumate Hmong cultural identifier. Editor's Note: The photo essay "Por Thao's Funeral" by Joseph Davy, in this issue, contains several photos of the qeej being played. [1] It is not only in Southeast Asia that music plays a part in discourse with the spiritual. The sacred realm is accessed through music in many cultures. Through the use of rhythm, tone, pattern repetition, melody and scale, the relationship between the natural and supernatural worlds can be explored. In this article I would like to consider some of the relationships between the function and form of sacred language, music, and ceremony by examining these aspects vis- a-vis the Hmong qeej ("kheng"). . 5/21/2004 Hmong Studies Journal Page 2 of 17 [2] The Hmong qeej generally is described by musicologists as a free-reed multiple pipe musical instrument. It is a solo instrument, played without the accompaniment either of other musical instruments or singing, although it is intermittently accompanied by drums at a funeral. The qeej pipes are played horizontally and the overall length of the instrument varies from two to five feet, depending on the skill and the
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