Kobzarstvo
Encyclopedia
Kobzarstvo in the wider definition, is the art and related culture of singing to the accompaniment of the Ukrainian folk instruments known as the bandura
, kobza
and the Ukrainian hurdy-gurdy whom as the lira
.
More specifically, it deals with the related culture of the blind professional itinerant folk singers, known as the kobzar
s and the lirnyk
s. It includes their musical genres, style of performing, playing techniques, customs, secret language (known as Lebiy), organization and para-religious traditions.
The study of kobzarstvo initially started in the mid 18th century and continues to this day.
The wider definition, although not accurate, it can also include the culture of the more modern non-blind conservatory trained musicians and bandura ensembles - both amateur and professional.
Bandura
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...
, kobza
Kobza
The kobza is a Ukrainian folk music instrument of the lute family , a relative of the Central European mandora...
and the Ukrainian hurdy-gurdy whom as the lira
Lira
Lira is the name of the monetary unit of a number of countries, as well as the former currency of Italy, Malta, San Marino and the Vatican City and Israel. The term originates from the value of a Troy pound of high purity silver. The libra was the basis of the monetary system of the Roman Empire...
.
More specifically, it deals with the related culture of the blind professional itinerant folk singers, known as the kobzar
Kobzar
A Kobzar was an itinerant Ukrainian bard who sang to his own accompaniment.-Tradition:Kobzars were often blind, and became predominantly so by the 1800s...
s and the lirnyk
Lirnyk
The lirnyk was an itinerant Ukrainian musician who performed religious, historical and epic songs to the accompaniment of a lira, the Ukrainian version of the hurdy-gurdy....
s. It includes their musical genres, style of performing, playing techniques, customs, secret language (known as Lebiy), organization and para-religious traditions.
The study of kobzarstvo initially started in the mid 18th century and continues to this day.
The wider definition, although not accurate, it can also include the culture of the more modern non-blind conservatory trained musicians and bandura ensembles - both amateur and professional.