Raj Nplaim Me 6 Ntiv | Small "6 finger" Hmong Free-Reed Flute
These are handmade HMong free-reed flutes from Sapa district, Vietnam, expertly crafted in the small town of Ta Giang Phin by artisan Tsu Taag ("Taag/Tag" is xeem "Haam/Ham" in Vietnam). These raj are often called raj rau ntiv, literally meaning "six fingerings flute," because they contain six finger holes and a thumbhole, referred to in HMong as qhov qwv—meaning these raj actually have a total of 7 tone holes.
Because these raj contain more fingerings, they are capable of more notes and are able to play the majority of HMong music including all music from the raj nplaim qab ntev, raj nplaim qab luv, and even HMong kwv txhiaj/lug txaj.
PRODUCT INFO
These raj measure between 15 inches (38 cm) and 17 inches (43 cm) long and approximately 0.5 inches (1.25 cm) in diameter/thickness. The free–reed is made from hand-smithed brass, the body of the flute is made from dried and cured bamboo.
RETURN AND REFUND POLICY
If your package is lost/damaged during delivery, I will replace it free of charge. Upon arrival, please check to ensure everything is okay and notify me immediately if otherwise. If a package arrives damaged, I may require it sent back to me–and a refund/replacement will be issued when the item is returned—I will pay for return shipping. Bamboo and wood instruments are prone to cracking if you salivate into the instrument too much when playing, causing it to expand unevenly, if it is exposed to rapid changes in temperature/humidity in your home and care, etc. If you have played your instrument, I cannot honor a return due to small cracks that develop that do not affect the sound—again, due to the nature of wood and bamboo. However, if big splitting cracks happen, I will replace it free of charge. However, I cannot offer a return in any case after a month of you receiving the instrument—again due to the nature of instruments being in your care and exposed to any of the above mentioned conditions. Lastly, instruments can crack from consistent and strong vibration from the reed, thus, all raj, qeej, etc. will eventually crack with time—poor sounding instruments are actually likely to last longer because the reed produces weak vibrations and sounds. Wear and tear is the nature of bamboo and wood. It is not a question of "if," but "when" your raj/qeej/etc will crack—all of this is affected by the variance in each piece of bamboo and wood, how often you do or do not play, the consistency of your playing, the climate where you reside, etc. But as the HMong saying goes, "tshuab thawg ntau lub thiaj keej, tshuab puas ob peb rab thiaj ua tau txiv qeej..."
SHIPPING INFO
Free shipping within the US via USPS First Class/Priority Mail on orders over $50—estimated arrival within 3–5 business days, not guaranteed. Express shipping available for $45—guaranteed arrival in 1–2 business days, excluding your order day. If your order is late, click here for support from USPS.