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| Woodwind instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Aerophone |
| Related instruments | |
| Fujara and its music | |
|---|---|
| Country | Slovakia |
| Reference | 00099 |
| Region | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2008 (3rd session) |
| List | Representative |
Thefujara (Slovak pronunciation:[ˈfujara])[1] is a largewind instrument of thetabor pipe class. It originated in centralSlovakia as a sophisticated folkshepherd'sovertonefipple flute of unique design in thecontrabass range.
Ranging from 160 to 200 cm long (5'3" – 6'6")[2] and tuned inA,G, orF. It has threetone holes (also calledfinger holes) located on the lower part of the main body. The sound is produced by afipple at the upper end of the main body of the fujara. The air is led to the fipple through a smaller parallel pipe, calledvzduchovod inSlovak (meaning "air channel"), mounted on the main body of the instrument. While it is possible to play thefundamental frequency on fujaras,[3] the normal playing technique is based on overblowing the instrument. Because of the highaspect ratio of the sound chamber (great length versus small internal diameter), the player can useovertones to play adiatonic scale using only the three tone holes. The fujara is typically played while standing, with the instrument held vertically and usually braced against the right thigh.
The atypical design produces a deep, meditativetimbre.Ornaments are traditionally added to the base melodies, which usually occur in theMixolydian mode. Two common types of ornaments areprefuk, the rapid overblowing of a single note (from Slovakprefukovať 'to overblow'), androzfuk, a descending cascade of overtones (from Slovakrozfúkať 'to scatter by blowing').
Traditionally, the fujara was played by shepherds for recreation. Today, the fujara has moved from the shepherds' fields to the stage of folk festivals in the Slovak towns ofVýchodná andDetva. The instrument has also left Slovakia and is played all over the world; particularly byaficionados of native flutes in western Europe and North America. Despite this, the fujara has yet to gain popularity or much recognition outside of Slovakia. Most often the fujara is a solo instrument, but ensembles of two or three fujaras have been known, such as the Kubinec family or the Javorová Húžva trio.
The fujara was added to theUNESCO list ofMasterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005.[4] "The Fujara and its Music" was added to theRepresentative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 byUNESCO.[2]
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