Name: Keluri, Keludi or Enkeluri.
Type: Free-reed > Aerophones.
Region: Borneo > Malaysia > South East Asia.
Dimensions: Height 110 cm.Acquisition Date: Circa year 2003.
Acquisition Source: Randy Raine Reush.
Description:
The Keluri is a free-reed aerophone found in Borneo. It is played by
the Iban and Orang-Ulu peoples. Many relatives of the keluri include
the Chinese sheng, hulusi, hulusheng and the Japanese Sho. The keluri
is a moribund, in recent times only a very few people amongst the Iban
are playing the keluri mainly elderly. This tradition will likely die
out in a matter of 10 years. My specimen of keluri you see in the photo
is used by the Orang Ulu people or "The Up River People" who inhabit
the interior regions of Borneo. Traditionally the keluri was played for
the long dances that are associated with hunting. The enkeluri played
by the Iban people who live closer to the coast of Borneo can range up
to 1 metre in length. Some enkeluri may reach up to 1.8 meters in
length.
Anatomy of the Keluri: The keluri is constructed from a gourd, thin bamboo reeds and cut lengths of bamboo. Each pipe of bamboo has an individual finger hole. After the five finger holes are carved. The pipes are sorted out in a circular shape with a centre support pipe. A soot and pitch based substance "ksoot" fills in the gaps between the gourd and the pipes. This allows for the pipes to have support and prevents air from escaping during performance.
Anatomy of the Keluri: The keluri is constructed from a gourd, thin bamboo reeds and cut lengths of bamboo. Each pipe of bamboo has an individual finger hole. After the five finger holes are carved. The pipes are sorted out in a circular shape with a centre support pipe. A soot and pitch based substance "ksoot" fills in the gaps between the gourd and the pipes. This allows for the pipes to have support and prevents air from escaping during performance.
Citations: Asza.com / Keluri >