By: SEIGOUMANG CHONGLOI, ANGI NOMASAY YOBIN
William Shaw first listed the traditional musical instruments of the Thadou-Kukis in his 1929 book, “Notes on the Thadou Kukis.” Since then, five musical instruments have more or less disappeared, while the others are slowly being forgotten. These instruments are important to their culture and society. They are important not just as a form of entertainment, but also for the role they play in society. The Thadou-Kukis are closely tied to their identity and their land. It has been the sound of the people for generations. They use music to express and communicate their emotions and signals. These traditional musical instruments were a part of both celebrations and funerals. From far away, it seems like music doesn’t play a big role in their society. But when you look closely, you’ll see that these musical instruments are actually a key part of their culture and society. This paper briefly discusses the importance, role, shape, and use of these musical instruments.
