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Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00002308 Country Timor-Leste ICH Domain Performing Arts Social practices, rituals, festive events Year of Designation 2013
| Description | The Fui is an ancestral musical instrument legacy made of bamboo, used and practiced by oxen and buffalo keepers to care for their oxen and buffalos.Caretaker of oxen and buffalo is a solitary job where playing the flute is the only way to get rid of loneliness. Keepers of buffalo and oxen play the flute to gather their livestock in one place before taking them back to the corral or water source. Oxen and buffalo know the flute sound of their keepers and follow it. The Fui is also played in traditional ceremonies; Funeral of “Liurais” high personality in society. Playing with the rhythm of melancholy and loneliness to comfort the deceased’s family and to give hope. |
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Information source
Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO
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PI00008692
Fui (Flute)
The flute, known as Kaiui (Makasa'e), Fui (Fataluku)and Be'u (Kemak), is a traditional Timorese musical instrument typically made from au-fafulu, a species of bamboo. This instrument features seven holes: two on the top and five on the bottom. The manufacturing technique requires precision in measuring and drilling the holes and blocking the bamboo channel with a corn cob between the two top holes to control breath and produce sound. The Kaiui is cherished for its ability to produce melodies that evoke deep emotions and connections to tradition and family history.
Timor-Leste -
PI00008694
Fui (Flute)
The flute, known as Kaiui (Makasa'e), Fui (Fataluku)and Be'u (Kemak), is a traditional Timorese musical instrument typically made from au-fafulu, a species of bamboo. This instrument features seven holes: two on the top and five on the bottom. The manufacturing technique requires precision in measuring and drilling the holes and blocking the bamboo channel with a corn cob between the two top holes to control breath and produce sound. The Kaiui is cherished for its ability to produce melodies that evoke deep emotions and connections to tradition and family history.
Timor-Leste -
PI00008696
Fui (Flute)
The flute, known as Kaiui (Makasa'e), Fui (Fataluku)and Be'u (Kemak), is a traditional Timorese musical instrument typically made from au-fafulu, a species of bamboo. This instrument features seven holes: two on the top and five on the bottom. The manufacturing technique requires precision in measuring and drilling the holes and blocking the bamboo channel with a corn cob between the two top holes to control breath and produce sound. The Kaiui is cherished for its ability to produce melodies that evoke deep emotions and connections to tradition and family history.
Timor-Leste -
PI00008698
Fui (Flute)
The flute, known as Kaiui (Makasa'e), Fui (Fataluku)and Be'u (Kemak), is a traditional Timorese musical instrument typically made from au-fafulu, a species of bamboo. This instrument features seven holes: two on the top and five on the bottom. The manufacturing technique requires precision in measuring and drilling the holes and blocking the bamboo channel with a corn cob between the two top holes to control breath and produce sound. The Kaiui is cherished for its ability to produce melodies that evoke deep emotions and connections to tradition and family history.
Timor-Leste
Videos
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VI00000829
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Timor-Leste, Uma Lulik and Tais
15 December 2021: Sixteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage approved the inscription of Tais on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. As the first inscription of Timor-Leste’s ICH element to the list, ICHCAP has been requested by the UNESCO Jakarta Office for cooperation projects on the transmission and promotion of Timor-Leste’s ICH and plans to cooperate with local NGOs and plan possible projects. Safeguarding and promoting these rich cultures need research, publication and production. Moreover, as general masses could be reached through audio-visual production to promote and safeguard these cultures, academically arranged narratives processed into visual presentations such as documentary productions are crucial and timely. This informational and promotional material development project adds continued value to the Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO’s work with the National ICH committee that undertakes to nominate the element (Tais) to the Urgent Safeguarding List with the international assistant. Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO agrees to employ Merkurius Yung with the position of Director of CEVNAG Production Film in accordance with the terms set out in the Term of Reference (ToR). In this position, the Director of CEVNAG Production Film, as well as a consultant, reported to Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO on 2 (two) items such as video production for Tais and Uma Lulik, and 14 (fourteen) elements of the Inventory Booklet project. The process sites cover the municipalities such as Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima, Ermera, Lautem and Oecusse. (ICHCAP has the original file)
25:12
Timor-Leste 2022 -
VI00001326
Kaiui (Traditional Flute)
The Kaiui—also known as fui or be’u in different regions—is a traditional bamboo flute of Timor-Leste, cherished for its gentle, evocative sound that once echoed across rice fields, hilltops, and quiet village evenings. Long associated with solitude, emotional expression, and storytelling, the Kaiui is more than just a musical instrument—it is a vessel of memory and connection. Traditionally crafted from au-fafulu, a specific type of bamboo, the Kaiui features seven tone holes and is often about the length of a forearm. A key part of its design is the use of a corn cob or similar material to block part of the internal chamber, modifying the flow of air and shaping the distinctive tone. The player blows across the top opening while controlling the pitch with their fingers, producing melodies that are haunting, meditative, and subtly expressive. For generations, the Kaiui was used by boys tending livestock in the fields, especially in the early mornings or during midday rest. It was played to pass the time, soothe animals, or simply to ease loneliness. Others used it to express feelings of longing—especially in matters of love, separation, or remembrance. In many communities, the flute is considered a deeply personal instrument, capable of giving voice to emotions that are otherwise difficult to speak. The art of playing Kaiui is learned informally, typically by observing and mimicking older siblings, parents, or elders. There is no standard notation; the music lives through imitation, memory, and improvisation. Songs vary from region to region and even from player to player, with some tunes tied to seasonal rhythms or traditional events like sau-batar (harvest ceremonies) or rites of passage. The Kaiui also plays a role in certain rituals and ceremonies, where its sound is believed to create a space of calm, welcome ancestral spirits, or accompany reflective moments. Its simple construction and natural materials reflect a worldview grounded in harmony with the environment—a flute made entirely from what the land provides, played under the open sky. Today, however, the practice of making and playing the Kaiui is increasingly rare. As younger generations turn to electronic music and imported instruments, the quiet music of the bamboo flute is fading from everyday life. In some communities, it survives primarily as a cultural demonstration during festivals or heritage programs. Efforts to preserve the Kaiui are now underway through workshops, school projects, and intergenerational exchanges. In these spaces, the flute is not only played but celebrated—as a living symbol of Timor-Leste’s musical heritage and a gentle reminder of how sound, memory, and identity are woven together in the simplest of forms.
6:27
Timor-Leste 2024
