The hulusi is a traditional Chinese free-reed wind instrument featuring a gourd wind chamber and bamboo pipes, including one main melody pipe and often one or two drone pipes. It produces a smooth, mellow, and haunting sound reminiscent of a clarinet, making it well-suited for lyrical melodies or atmospheric layers in world or cinematic music. Originating from the Dai and other ethnic minorities in Yunnan province, the hulusi was historically played at festivals and courtship rituals, embodying