genggong, khomus, guimbarde, trumpi... Not ringing a bell? How about
Jew's Harp? Though neither a harp nor associated with Jewish tradition, that's the name that stuck in the
New World.
Call it what you will, this ingenious little instrument is
played all over the planet. It's the focus of at least one yearly
festival, and there's no shortage of great
players out there
twanging and
boinging away. The instrument has a looong
history stretching from antiquity to
house music. In certain parts of the world its playing is the province of
women only, and yes, they've been known to
make the camels cry. Unsurprisingly, they've found their way onto the beloved
YouTube in extreme close-up glory.
BOINNNNGGG!! (Note: some links go direct to bwaaaang-y audio or video)
posted by flapjax at midnite
on Aug 17, 2006 -
21 comments
