Gusle
When journeying around Montenegro and visiting museums, houses, shops and national restaurants you would come across an instrument hanging proudly on the central wall. The instrument is called Gusle the name originates from the old Slavic word “gosl” for fiber and the word is associated with the low resonating sound the instrument makes when playing.
Without story about the gusla, no story about Montenegro music and folklore would be complete. As a nation with a long history, Montenegro have witnessed great events and happenings through which they built their existence and statehood. History had to be remembered, the greats of Montenegro kept from oblivion, so every detail and event, every chivalry and heroism turned into a song and became part of a tradition and legend that will seduce you with its mysticism and beauty. The song encouraged, celebrated, mourned, and the fiddle was there to contribute to the festivities with its warm tone.
How and when the Gusle came to the Balkans is not clear. Some Byzantine historian from the 6th century wrote about “small lyres” that the old Slavs used, others believe the gusle has an Oriental origin and was brought by the Ottomans in the 10th century. There are notions that in the 13th century Serbian kings would play them for the nobility but the first written records date back to the 15th century.
The way of playing is also unique. The person playing Gusle is called “guslar”. He sits in a chair and places Gusle in lap, leaning them and holding then with his legs mildly crossed. His left hand is on the neck of Gusle, and with the right hand he is playing with the fiddlestick over the wire. The Gusle are rarely played alone, without the company of the voice.
Through the song, with gusle, Montenegro has preserved a part of itself from long ago, like few other European countries. This makes it even more beautiful and worth your visit and attention.
