Messages born of melody – hear the whistled language of the Hmong people

In rural stretches of northern Laos, several scattered practitioners keep one of the world’s few remaining whistled languages alive. An ancient tradition among the Hmong people, this unique form of communication originated as a means of helping hunters, farmers and shepherds communicate across vast, open distances. It’s also used in courting rituals and as a means of communicating with the spirit world. At once speech and music, this system of whistles can be augmented when blown through a leaf, a bamboo flute or a traditional instrument known as a qeej. However, as Birdsong (2023) details, modernity and especially urbanisation have driven this ancient Hmong tradition to the verge of extinction. Profiling three whistlers from the village of Long Lan, the short documentary offers a fascinating peek into a disappearing world, alongside insights into the evolution and extraordinary diversity of language.