The small gusle - gingara
Hrvatsko zagorje, the middle of the 19th century

cornstalk
cutting

 

length of the gusle = 20,5 cm
diameter of the gusle = 2,3 cm
length of the bow = 18,6 cm
diameter of the bow = 1,2 cm

POH-441a/1920 
The Collection of Musical Instruments by Franjo Ksaver Kuhač

Description

The small gusle or gingara are a children’s instrument made of dried corn. As with actual large gusle there are two parts here as well: the gusle and a bow. The corn skin is peeled and split, The part of skin which is supposed to be strings needs to be moistened so they can make a sound.

Note

The small gusle are made for children, so they can have fun and play the instrument.
“In order for children to get used to playing the gusle from young age, people make primitive toy instruments of unknown material. For little children the guslice are made of splinter, i.e. broom handle made of corn, or like in Hrvatsko Zagorje of wooden splinters.” (Kuhač 1877: 8)