GUSLA Meaning and
Definition
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Gusla, also spelled Gusle, is a traditional musical instrument found in the Balkans, particularly in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro. It is a single-stringed musical bow, known as a chordophone, played by fiddling with a horsehair bow.
The gusla has a long wooden body, usually carved from a single piece of wood, with a soundboard made of animal skin, most commonly dried sheepskin. It typically features a handle or neck, adorned with intricate carvings or inlays, and a pegbox used for tuning the single string. The string itself is made of horsehair, secured to the soundboard with a wooden or bone bridge.
Traditionally, the gusla was primarily used as an accompaniment to epic poetry, known as gusle poetry or guslarstvo, which is recited or sung by a musician called a guslar. The guslar often uses the instrument to create a drone or bourdon, playing the string open while reciting or singing the poetic verses. The gusla's unique sound is considered haunting and melancholic, often evoking strong emotions and emphasizing the gravity of the poetic narrative.
In addition to its cultural significance, the gusla also holds an esteemed place as a symbol of national identity and folklore in the Balkans, representing the oral traditions and artistic heritage of the region. Today, it is often featured in folk music ensembles and can be heard in various traditional and contemporary musical compositions.
Common Misspellings for GUSLA
- vusla
- busla
- husla
- yusla
- tusla
- gysla
- ghsla
- gjsla
- gisla
- g8sla
- g7sla
- guala
- guzla
- guxla
- gudla
- guela
- guwla
- guska
- guspa
- gusoa
Etymology of GUSLA
The word "gusla" comes from the South Slavic language, primarily Serbian and Croatian. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old Church Slavonic language, where the word was "gǫsla". This Old Church Slavonic term was derived from the Proto-Slavic *ǫgǫsla, which ultimately stems from the Proto-Balto-Slavic *ank-ǫgʷlā, meaning "string instrument". The word "gusla" is primarily associated with a traditional stringed instrument used in the Balkans, particularly for epic storytelling and singing accompanied by the instrument.
