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| Instrument Title | Ghichak |
| Instrument ID | 30.00 |
| Variant Instrument Name | Kikkomanophone |
| Country/area | Afghanistan
Central Asia
Asia
|
| Hornbostel-Sachs class | 321.31-71 |
| Keyword | Spike Fiddle; Fiddle |
| Related instruments | 109 |
| Description | This spiked fiddle is found primarily in Northern Afghanistan as well as some surrounding countries in Central Asia and can be made out of various materials. The Ghichak is played mainly by Tajik and Uzbek musicians.
This example is created from a large, dark wood spike that pierces a soy sauce canister. The tin body has one side cut open and the other end has five small sound holes punched out. The end of the spike tapers as it protrudes from the opposite side of the tin. The Ghichak has two twisted metal strings attached to horizontal tuning-pegs near the top of the wooden spike. The two lateral pegs are inserted in a peg box that is carved into the top of the spike. A decorative bulb is carefully carved at the top of the spike, typical of decorative woodwork created on a lathe found commonly in Afghanistan. A wooden bridge is placed between the two strings and the tin resonator allowing for the bow to be drawn against the strings to create sound from either one or two strings at a time. Holding the instrument vertically, the musician's hand applies pressure to the strings near the top of the spike to produce varying pitches.
At the University of Washington this instrument is also referred to as a "kikkomanophone, " due to the use of a Kikkoman soy sauce can for the body of the instrument. |
| Dimensions | Length: 75 cm
Width of spike at top of instrument:4 cm
Width of spike including tuning pegs: 12.5 cm
Width of spike at bottom of instrument: 2 cm
Width of tin can resonator: 26.3 cm
Height of resonator: 14 cm
Depth of resonator: 11.4 cm |
| Accessories | Bow (#109) |
| Condition | Good |
| Digital Collection | Ethnomusicology Musical Instrument Archive |
| Image No. | xac_030a.jpg |
| Contact Info | For further information contact: Archivist, University ofWashington Ethnomusicology Division, School of Music Box353450, Seattle, WA 98195; (206) 543-0974 |
| Copyright | This Musical Instrument database is intended for educationaland instructional use; if you cite or download images ortext, please acknowledge the University of WashingtonEthnomusicology Archives. |
| Repository | University of Washington Ethnomusicology Archives |
| Type | Image |
| Digital reproduction field | Photographed with digital camera (JPG image); processed
using Photoshop (resized to 550 pixels, quality level 5,
label added) |
