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.\n\nThe 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.

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.\n\nThe 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.

This is a story about an indigenous Fijian musical instrument from the ancient past. This is the nose flute known in the indigenous language as dulali or bitu ceguvi. \n\nThis performing art has disappeared altogether from Fiji, save for a village in Tailevu province, one of the 14 provinces in Fiji. Tailevu is located on mainland eastern Vitilevu and the village we are visiting where this art form is kept alive is located at the norther part of the province. The village is called Nananu. \n\nWe are visiting a 73 year old man at the time of the shot (2011). Kaveni is the only person who has kept alive the art of playing the nose flute, an art that dates back in the mists of time to the days of its legendary ancestor Ramacake. Ramacake was Pan in the local mythology specializing in the pan flute. Its melodious strains was an irresistible charm on maidens who pined over it every morning. \n\nKaveni ekes out a simple living as an ordinary villager.\n\nThe art of playing the nose flute surprisingly never ever dawned on Kaven (Nose Flautist) as a child.\n\nhttps://m.facebook.com/pacificheritagehub/photos/fijis-last-remaining-nose-flautist-mr-kaveni-tamani-of-nananu-in-the-tailevu-pro/191764000971689/\n

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.\n\nTraditionally 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.\n\nFor 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nToday, 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.\n\nEfforts 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.