Thekhloy (Khmer:ខ្លុយ,Burmese: ပုလွေ,Khmer pronunciation:[kʰloj]) is a traditional bamboo vertical duct flute from Cambodia and more specifically theKhmer people. Thekhloy and other similarbamboo flutes can be found throughout Asia, due to bamboo’s abundance in the region. The khloy is aduct flute and has two sizes: smaller, higher-pitched (khloy ek) and larger, lower-pitched (khloy thomm). It has six finger holes and a thumb hole, or seven finger holes and no thumb hole. A hole above the highest finger hole may be covered with a membrane made of rice paper or bamboo inner skin, similar todi mo.[1]
The Cambodian khloy is often mistaken for its close relative of Thailand, theklui flute, however Khmerkhloy is aged older.[2] Unlike the klui flute, the khloy is generally played solo in an informal setting. The khloy is mostly played using thepentatonic scale.
Khloy orkhluy is aKhmer word for flute. The wordkluy appears on a pedestal at Kuk Prasat temple dated to 994 AD. The termkluy later transmitted into modern Khmer wordkhluy orkhloy.[2] Whereas, the termvenu (Sanskrit: flute) was inscribed on a 9th century foundation stele atPreah Ko temple.[2]
The earliest depiction of flute in Cambodia were seen on two lintels fromSambor Prey Kuk temple, dated to 7th century. This musical instrument was also carved on a bas relief ofPhnom Bakheng from late 9th to 10th century.[2]
