Cambodian instrumental ensemble; the term is also used to describe its repertory (see Cambodia). The ideal formation comprises roneat aek (high-pitched xylophone), roneat thung (low-pitched xylophone), khloy (duct flute), tror che (high-pitched two-string fiddle), tror so tauch (medium-high-pitched two-string fiddle), tror so thom (medium-low-pitched two-string fiddle), tror ou (low-pitched two-string fiddle), krapeu (three-string zither), khim (hammered dulcimer), ching (small cymbals), thaun-rumanea (two-piece drum-set) and chamrieng (vocals). The precise instrumentation varies, depending upon patronage and ownership: instruments can be doubled, tripled or even quadrupled.
While other Khmer music ensembles such as the arak, kar, pey keo and korng skor have religious functions, the mohori is used in a secular context. It is light in character and is normally played at banquets or to accompany a mohori play or folkdances of recent origin; it may also be performed for entertainment.
SAM-ANG SAM