Instructor：Yang Zong-Wei
Workshop Title： Datok Mouth Harp Production
Workshop Subtitle： Ancient Sounds of the Amis Tribe
Date：August 11 (Saturday)
Time：13:00 – 17:00
Location： Taitung Museum, Da Wen Chuang Classroom
The mouth harp is an ancient folk instrument widely used in Asia (especially Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Northern Asia), the Americas, and Oceania. In Taiwan, all indigenous groups except the Dawu people have records of using the mouth harp, with the Atayal, Taroko, and Seediq tribes being the most renowned users, followed by the Amis and Bunun tribes. This workshop continues the tradition of mouth harp production initiated by the late Amis elder Dr. Huang Guichao.
Instructor Profile: Yang Zong-Wei enjoys handcrafted work. While working at the museum, he invited the late Amis elder Dr. Huang Guichao to teach traditional Amis mouth harp making. The ancient harp sounds, once nearly lost, brought much emotion to the participants. Given the mouth harp’s simple structure and ease of production, it is easy to promote. After retirement, Yang also held workshops to share mouth harp production, hoping more people can make and play these simple, pure, penetrating, and charming sounds.
Materials Provided by the Instructor: Bamboo slices (approximately 3 pieces of diameter), utility knife, carving knives (flat and angled), 40 cm cotton string, sandpaper (about half a sheet, 100-200 grit), 0.3mm thick copper reed, electric drill. Participants are welcome to bring their own carving tools if preferred.