Kobza / Кобза

The Ukrainian kobza is a classical stringed instrument resembling a lute, crafted from a singular block of wood for its body, considered to be the predecessor of bandura.

The orchestral kozba has four strings and is played with a plectrum. It is tuned in fifths (like a violin or mandolin). Like the voices in a choir, there are many variations of the kozba. It comes in five sizes: prima, alto, tenor, bass, and contrabass. The base is made of wood. The shape of the body is slightly elongated, resembling a pear. The front part, equipped with strings, is flat, and the back side is convex. The approximate dimensions of the case are 50 cm long and 30 cm wide. A small neck is attached to the body, equipped with metal frets and a slightly bent back head. Strings are stretched along the front part, the number of which varies: there were designs with a minimum of four and a maximum of twelve strings. The strings can be plucked with either fingers or a plectrum (muzinstrument.com.ua/).  

Kobe has an ancient history, the terms "kobza" and "kobuz" are found in written records dating back to the 13th century. Similar Ukrainian lute designs were called "kopuz" in Turkey and "cobza" in Romania. However, the kobza became most widespread in Ukraine, and the Cossacks fell in love with it: it even had a special name here, "Cossack lute" or "Cossack lute." Those who knew how to play it were called kobzars. Most often, they accompanied their own singing, stories, and legends with the instrument. There is written evidence that the famous Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky played the kobza when receiving foreign ambassadors. The 18th century was marked by the invention of a similar instrument, the bandura. The innovation turned out to be more sophisticated and complex and soon replaced kobza (muzinstrument.com.ua/).

The Ukrainian folk musical instrument kobza is a close relative of the lute. It belongs to the group of stringed instruments, plucked, and has four or more paired strings. In addition to Ukraine, its varieties are found in Moldova, Romania, Hungary, and Poland.

Kobza art holds a special place among the wonderful and distinctive culture of the Ukrainian people. The kobza players, kobzars, often called the national conscience, have long been revered in Ukraine. Many people have always gathered to listen to the dumas (epic poems), songs and the sounds that came from the strings of the magical instrument. After decades of wandering and oblivion due to the loss of the Cossack Hetmanate and Ukrainian statehood, kobza art is gradually returning to Ukraine and is firmly intertwined in its everyday musical life and concert life (maup.com.ua).

Sources and Suggested Reading:

Mizynec, Victor. Folk Instruments of Ukraine. Bayda Books Australia, 1987.