“Zurna,” a musical instrument: wind: reed, part of (body w/sleeve)

Tatars of Crimea

Russian Empire, Taurida province, city Karasubazar

late 19th century

Wood

length 45.0; diameter max 10.5

РЭМ 803-78

The zurna (literally ‘feast fife’) is a reed woodwind instrument with a double reed widespread in the Balkans, Near and Middle East, Caucasus, in India, and in Asia Minor and Central Asia. In the times of the Ottoman Empire, the zurna was the main instrument in the Janissary orchestra. The zurna is a wooden pipe with a tapered flare, with eight finger holes (one of which is on the back side). A reed of flattened cane is inserted in the upper end of the zurna. The tapered shape of the zurna pipe renders the instrument a bright and sonorous sound. The zurna widespread in the Balkans, Asia Minor, Bessarabia, Crimea, and Azov region has a feature of seven resonant holes in the flare (2+3+2) called “genie holes” or “shaitan holes.” These holes may be pasted up with wax to tune the instrument.