17 January, 2011

Bandura

Nice zither/lute/gusli-like instrument. In russian language it also means "big thing" ^_^_^

Some information from Wikipedia:

Bandura refers to a Ukrainian plucked string folk instrument. It combines elements of a box zither and lute, as well as its lute-like predecessor, the kobza.

The term is also occasionally used by when referring to a number of other Eastern European string instruments such as the hurdy gurdy and the 5 string guitar (commonly referred to by the diminutive bandurka).

The use of lute-like instruments by the inhabitants of the lands than now constitute Ukraine dates back to 591. In that year Byzantine Greek chronicles mention Bulgar warriors who travelled with lute-like instruments.

There are iconographic depictions of lute-like instruments in the 11th century frescoes of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, once the capital of a vast medieval kingdom of the Kievan Rus'. It is not known by what specific term these instruments were referred to in these early times, although it has been surmised that the lute-like instrument was referred to by the generic medieval slavic term for a string instrument - Gusli.

The instrument became popular in the courts of the nobility in Eastern Europe. There are numerous citations mentioning the existence of Ukrainian bandurists in both Russia and Poland.

How it looks:


Example of playing:


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