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The Khmer culture treasure of Ken
by Dr. Michel Tranet . Published date: 2nd September 2009
The Ken is a kind of musical instrument that both hill tribes and Khmers of the flat lands have naturally used for centuries. In addition, our neighbors such as: Thailand, Lao and Vietnam also use it, that is why some people thought it belonged to those countries.Through the cultural research, we deny any difference in tradition between the Khmer leou and the Khmer of the flat lands because both of them are from the same race and blood (Hemoglobine E).The Ken originates from the Mon-Khmer or Khmer-Mon civilization before the influence of Indian and Chinese culture.The Mon-Khmer or Khmer-Mon ethnic populations who live in the mountains and forests such as the Saouch, Samre, Brao, Kouy, Por and Chon, are commonly called primitive Khmer. However, Mon-Khmer populations, called Phnong, Khmer hill tribes and Mon-Khmer ethnic are from the same lineage. Through the bones found in the prehistoric sites, we absolutely conclude that the Ken is a Khmer culture treasure, still popular in modern society.We want to state openly that the Ken is not a borrowing from the other countries such as the Central Vietnam, Southeastern Thailand, and Laos, though it is being played there. There cannot be any doubt about this. (M.Tranet).
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