Khaen is a musical instrument in the form of a mouth organ that is similar to panpipes. Each bamboo tube has an air chamber and a metal reed that produces a sound. Each size of the tube affects the sound that is produced.
Khaen Hoc (meaning "can") is played in all regions of the Lao People's Democratic Republic because of its harmonic richness. This kind of music is usually part of a village festival, and people participate in the songs and dances, rather than merely watching.
In Lao legend, this instrument was invented by a woman who tried to reproduce the sound of the garawek bird, which she heard while walking. The journey was lengthy and difficult, so the woman decided to create an instrument that could bring sound to her, and she experimented with many different instruments, including percussion, wind instruments, and plucked and bowed strings. Finally, she cut a piece of bamboo and placed a reed into it, and that's how it was invented.
On playing the instrument, she realized it sounded like the garawek bird. She continued improving it until she was sure it was worthy of the king's ears. She went to the palace and started playing for him on her newly invented instrument, which was nameless. When the first song was over, she asked if he liked it. He told her to call the instrument the khaen.
The practice of khaen can be transmitted through family members, and khaen player associations exist in many local communities where young people can learn the art. To maintain the practice despite lifestyle changes, such as urbanization, various local associations, groups, and communities have started various educational initiatives to promote and enhance Khaen arts, including the Association of Khaen Arts was founded in 2005.
Today, the traditional music of the khaen is becoming less popular as a form of entertainment. There is a new style of khaen music, which uses a drum set, electric bass, and singing. Mawlum singing is still alive, as well as a solo performance of the khaen, however, this new style appeals more to the younger generation.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/khaen-music-of-the-lao-people-01296) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khene) (https://www.ksanti.net/free-reed/essays/khaenlaos.html)