Chankovuz

Chankovuz is the most ancient musical instrument distributed among the Turkic peoples in the countries of Central Asia. In ancient times it was made from the bones of a camel, wood or reed plates and metal parts, now it is made mostly entirely of metal.

For Uzbeks, this tool is called “chankovuz” or “chang-kobuz”, for Bashkirs - “kubyz”, for Chuvash - “kapas”, for Ukrainians - “drymba”. And in Russia such a tool was called a notch.

Chankovuza design is simple - horseshoe base and elastic tongue. The sound is simply extracted (relatively simple) - the instrument is taken in the left hand by the base, the fingertips are applied to the lips, and the index finger of the right hand is in the oscillation tongue. The sound is unusual, cosmic, monotonous at first glance, but the artist’s imagination knows no boundaries.

Sometimes the hand plays the role of a resonator, in the form of a bowl attached to the mouth. Strikes on the tongue are also diverse - both in frequency and direction. And it turns out amazing music - smooth or rhythmic, sometimes it seems that chankovuz speaks, utters words, imitates the singing of birds and the sounds of animals.

Now chankovuz in Uzbekistan is experiencing a rebirth. The game on chankovuz can be heard in Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya, Dzhizak, Karakalpakstan. They play alone and as a duet, as part of ensembles, and this always makes an impression. It is believed that the chankovuz female instrument - women have long carried it with them, and played it in their spare time. Merry or sad, depending on the mood - it was an expression of feelings that is beyond words. Often, only Chankovuz could tell what was in your heart. And the travelers in the steppe or desert went to the voice of Chankovus, not wanting to get shelter and food. After all, a woman is playing, which means it is a haven for a tormented soul.