Suona, a traditional Chinese musical instrument

The suona is a world musical instrument, widely spread in more than 30 countries in Asia,Africa, and Europe.The suona emerged in China in abouit the third century. There is an image of a musician playing the suona on a fresco in the 38 cave of the Kizil Grottoes in Xinjiang's Baicheng.At present,the suona is popular in more than 20 ethnic groups in different regions of China,so the name varies among different ethnic groups. 

It is also called suona,laba,ji'na,and wulawa by the Han;sunaier by Uyghurs;bailai,zainai,and shala by the Li people;and bishikuer and narenbilige by Mongolians. The suona generally consists of a double-reed whistle (made from reed), core (copper), and rod (white wood and rosewood) and copper bowl (shaped like a loudspeaker). It sounds cheerful,loud and clear, and harmonious.It is typically an accompanying musical instrument for general wedding ceremonies, funerals,music festivals,and sacrifices and Yang Ge parties.A famous music composition is A Phoenix Worshiped by Hundreds of Birds.