A Traditional Yakutian Instrument: Vargan

Abstract

Vargan, which is a musical instrument that originated in Asia and whose earliest archaeological examples can be found in Northeast Asia, is commonly known as "jew's harp" throughout the world. It is known that this instrument could be found in Europe by the 13th century and spread to Africa and America from there. Vargan, whose usage goes back to thousands of years, is a traditional popular instrument among the societies living in Northeast Asia, particularly where the Shamanizm culture is dominant. This unusual instrument, which is believed to have spread out to the world from the Northeast Asian regions, where there is a Turkish population, takes on different names in the world and is among the national instruments of the Republic of Yakutia (Sakha Republic). Vargan has a limited technical capacity and is known as a simple instrument; however, it also has multiple and inexhaustible capabilities of expression. Actually, what enables this quality of diversity is not Vargan's own capacity but the human being's ability to give this instrument vitality via his voice and speech. This article focuses on Vargan's place in the culture of the Yakuts, the types of vargan, its usage opportunities and playing techniques.