438 
A SPECIMEN OF BACHAPIN MUSIC. 
20, 21 July, 
One evening a party of about ten or twelve of these hoys amused 
themselves in dancing. They formed themselves in a circle, in 
imitation of the dance used by the men, and appeared to follow the 
same rules ; but, instead of the reed pipes, they substituted their 
voices. Sometimes one of them led the band, and the rest after- 
wards joined in at different intervals ; and, guided only by the ear, 
attuned their notes in correct harmony. The elder boys, whose 
voices were of a lower pitch, sang the bass ; while the younger, pro- 
duced, in their turn, the higher tones of the treble. The sound of the 
various voices, was altogether extremely pleasing ; and the natural 
manner in which the dancing and singing were performed, would, 
simply from the engaging manners of youth, have gratified even 
those who have enjoyed these arts in their more refined state. The 
words Kdna Kdna, which convey no meaning, were pronounced by 
each one in every bar, merely to assist in articulating the air. This 
dance was continued, with little intermission, for nearly an hour. The 
same tune was repeated during the whole time without variation ; and 
occupied, in singing it once over, just twenty-two seconds : but it has 
not been thought necessary to write the different parts in score, 
separately as they were sung by each dancer ; since they may be 
readily distinguished by mere inspection. The following notes will 
give some idea of them, and will also serve as a specimen of BacJiapin 
music. 
1 1 1 I 1 
— •-_«■ — ■ « — 
j J 1 4J-i J 
-I—I h-^- 
- 
rrn 
1 1 1 1 
i 1 
' i' III 1 
