Achang Ethnic Minority: A Music Instrument of Love – Gourd-shaped Flute

The Achang people, known for their vibrant cultural traditions, have a rich musical heritage. Among their many instruments, the gourd-shaped flute holds a special place, both as a cherished tool of musical expression and as a symbol of love.

Gourd-shaped Flute and Bamboo Flute

Achang musical instruments are predominantly wind and string instruments. These include the gourd-shaped flute, the March flute (another wind instrument), a copper-rimmed stringed instrument, sanxian (a three-stringed instrument), Xiangjiao drum (a drum shaped like an elephant’s foot), and mang luo (a gong). The gourd-shaped flute is particularly unique in its construction, consisting of three bamboo tubes connected by a bottle gourd. The flute has seven tones and produces a sound that is both loud and clear, often heard during the daytime.

The Gourd-shaped Flute as a Symbol of Love

The gourd-shaped flute is not just a musical instrument, but a cultural bridge that conveys the emotions of love and courtship. Among the Achang people, it is often seen as a matchmaker that helps young men express their affection for young women. During the farming-free season, festivals, and after work hours, these are the perfect times for courting, where the gourd-shaped flute plays a crucial role.

Courtship and Love Through Music

During these seasons, young men would carry their March flute with them wherever they went, whether to the market or simply near the village. When they encountered a girl they admired, they would play a gentle and melodious tune on their flute, using the music as an invitation for her to stop. The sound of the flute was a way to express interest and affection without words, and if the girl was receptive, she would stop and engage in a conversation.

If the girl was not already taken and liked the young man, she would respond gracefully, allowing him to walk her home. The man would then accompany her while playing the flute and singing folk songs, a serenade to show his sincerity. The girl, acknowledging his devotion, would respond with the words, “If you are sincere, you should accompany me all the way to the village rather than half the way.”

Romantic Rituals Under the Setting Sun

As the sun began to set, young men would often clean themselves up after the day’s work and head quietly to the house of the girl they admired. With the gourd-shaped flute in hand, he would play a sweet and familiar tune to court her. The girl, hearing the music, would lose her composure, hurry to her room to dress up, and come out to meet him, often with an excuse for why she had to leave the house.

If it was his first visit, the girl’s family would welcome him warmly, often having her sister-in-law or mother open the door. The young man would be invited in and offered a seat near the hearth, where he and his lover could enjoy each other’s company in solitude. There, they would sing love songs or talk about their growing feelings, parting only when the early morning light began to creep in.

A Timeless Tradition of Love

The gourd-shaped flute has long been an instrument that has sparked love stories for the Achang people. Countless young men and women have found each other through the sweet, melodious tunes of this iconic instrument. It is not just a tool for music, but a symbol of courtship, devotion, and the beginning of lifelong love.