The sopela
Josip Bilčić Mihalić, sopar (a man who is playing sopile)
Vrbnik, 1923
wood
cutting, turning, drilling
length = 39,8 cm
length of the chanter = 27,2 cm
length of the bell = 12,8 cm
distance between the finger-holes = 2,5 - 2,7 cm
Et 2044
The Collection of Musical Instruments
The sopela is crafted from wood, turned on a turner and polished. Its parts are: reed (oboe-like), pirouette, chanter, and bell. There are six finger-holes on the chanter (škuje). The holes for adjusting the sound are drilled on the bell. The sopele were donated thanks to dr. Dvorničić from Crikvenica and the Ethnographic Museum’s officer.
“The sopile players’ position in the society has been strictly set by tradition - they have always been the leaders. They always lead the processions during Christmas caroling, carnivals, at weddings, and other festivities at island castles and villages. They lead the bride and groom into the church at weddings, they accompany them on their way out of the church and lead them to the square or a hall where they will dance after the wedding ceremony. Upon arriving to the dancing area other guests follow the players’ cue” (Zebec, 2005: 32)
