Information AboutKobza |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT KOBZA | |
| string instruments | |
| ukrainian music | |
| kobzarstvo | |
| ukrainian folk instruments | |
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Kobza ()
ETYMOLOGY The term kobza is first mentioned in 1331, but lute-like instruments are known to have existed in the territories now known as Ukraine even earlier, either from the sixth century, brought there by Bulgars, or possibly somewhat later by Polovetsians and Khazars. The term has a Turkic origin: "kobyz" or "khomus". It acquired widespread popularity in the 16th century, with the advent of the Hetmanate ( Cossack state). A kobza was usually played by a bard or minstrel called '' Kobzar '' (earlier kobeznik), to accompany the recitation of a Ukrainian sung Epic called '' Duma ''. The kobza became extinct early in the 20th century, but currently there is a revival of kobza playing in Ukraine, due to the efforts of the "Kobzar Guild" in Kiev and Kharkiv . The kobza was often referred to in historical sources as Bandura (from Latin Pandura, via medieval Polish '''Barduny''', i.e. a Lute ). The terms were interchangeable until about 1800. Eventually the unfretted "starosvitska" bandura (developed ca. 1800) appropriated the Bandura name, but still was often referred to as kobza among the common folk, because of the name's historical cachet. TYPES OF UKRAINIAN KOBZAS
The kobza revival is impeded by the complete absence of the museum specimens. All evidence is entirely iconographic. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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