fiddle, spike fiddle, xim xaus, nkauj paus ncas

Fiddle surrogate system of the Hmong people, mentioned in Poss (2012) and in Catlin (1982). The instrument itself (Hmong xim xaus among other names per Poss, nkauj paus ncas per Catlin) is a “two-string spike fiddle” (Poss 2012:48). The encoding system is probably related to that of the Hmong free-reed mouth organ (qeej) and the flute (raj).

Poss, N. F. (2005). The communication of verbal content on the Hmong Raj: An ethnographic analysis of performance practice [PhD Thesis]. The Ohio State University.,Catlin, A. (1982). Speech surrogate systems of the Hmong: From singing voices to talking reeds. The Hmong in the West: Observations and Reports, 170–197.