Kungan, a musical instrument

Udege

Russian Empire, Primorsky Krai, district

late 19th century

Herbaceous plants: bamboo; wood; herbaceous plants: plants (rope); threads: cotton

lengths 18.0, 13.6

РЭМ 1870-75

Consists of two wooden parts tied together with a thin cord. One part is a stick, on the end of which an anthropomorphic image with a head and shoulders is carved. The other one is a flat plate, which is a plucked musical instrument. One half of the plate is slightly wider than the other, and a thin reed is carved lengthwise. The vargans were made of bamboo or yew wood. For playing, its end with the reed base was put between the teeth. Striking the thread with a finger, the player produced sounds, amplifying them with his voice. With the aid of the instrument, the Udege people imitated voices of nature. It was used as an everyday and ritual instrument.