“Vod” is a traditional Lao musical instrument. It is played either by blowing or throwing with the string. It is very popular in rural area. How nice of its voice are depended on the players. If the player can play low and high voice it makes the listeners to please with the sounds.
The main part of the Vod is made of hard bamboo. To make a Vod, the bamboos cut from the forest. The bamboo is then peeled and left to dried under the sun. After making the main structure, the smaller bamboo pipes are made. These smaller pipes are known as “Louk Vod”. Once all the pieces are dried, they are fixed together by local glue “Kisoud”. The instrument is then ready for playing.
As mentioned above the instrument can be played by throwing it in to the air. To do this, it should tie with string, then taken to a high place and thrown to the sky. Usually young farmers make and play it in the winter or at harvesting time. According to old people it is played to say thank you to the god of rain.
Today the Vod is still preserved as a local musical instrument. It was originally made by the Lao and then it spread to the Isarn area. It was made 2000 years ago at the same time as Kene was made.