The frula (pronounced [frǔla], Serbian Cyrillic: фрула), also called svirala (свирала) or jedinka, is a musical instrument that looks like a medium-sized flute. It is used in rural areas of Southeast Europe, mainly in countries where South Slavic languages are spoken. The frula is a wind instrument that is blown at one end and has six holes, usually made of wood. It was traditionally played by South Slavic shepherds while they cared for their flocks.
For more information about similar instruments, see the section below.
Names
In Croatia, the instrument is also known as "jedinka." Other local names used in Croatia include žveglica, šaltva, kavela, and ćurlik. In English, the instrument is sometimes called the "Serbian flute."
Overview
The frula is a tiny wooden flute with six holes. In areas of Southeast Europe, shepherds played the frula while taking care of their sheep. It is a traditional musical instrument from Serbia, one of several instruments that make sound when air is blown through them. These include long flutes (duduk, cevara), the double flute (dvojnice), and the bag-pipe (gajde). They are used for free time, special ceremonies, or to play along with the kolo, which is a circle dance.
Legacy
There are many events that celebrate the frula, a traditional musical instrument. These include the Prva pastirska frula in Jagnjilo, Dani Save Jeremića in Ražanj, sabori frulaša in Lelić and Prislonica, takmičenja frulaša in Iđoš, and Frula fest in Kruševac.
A well-known Serbian folk song is "Ej čija frula" ("O, whose frula"), performed by artists such as Braća Bajić, Radiša Urošević, and Cune Gojković.
- shvi, Armenia
- sopilka, Ukraine
- lamzdeliai, Lithuania
- floghera, Greece
- furulya, Hungary
- fujarka, Poland
- kaval, Turkey
- balaban or duduk, double-reed, Armenia and Azerbaijan