The term ghayta can be used to name a type of oboe, like the Museum’s specimen, or bagpipes. The term comes from the Gothic word ghaid (meaning bundle) and, in fact, it was initially used to name a bag pipe made of leather. However, probably due to the fact that both the bagpipes and the oboe have what is considered to be similar timbers and social functions, the term started to be used in some regions to refer to a type of oboe as well. Morocco, country where this Museum’s specimen comes from, is one of these regions. The ghayta is a type of oboe, a melodic instrument, generally played by male professional musicians, who come from a lineage of ghayta players. Although there were reed aerophones in Mesopotamia before the Islamic expansion, the use of the ghayta was established in the region after the growth of Islamism (7th Century), thus the diffusion of this instrument is intimately connected to the expansion of the Islamic culture – e.g.: the bell of the ghayta is called ka’ba, which is the name of the most sacred place for the Muslim cult in Mecca. The instrument was probably a product of the synthesis of other instruments coming from Iran, Mesopotamia, Syria and Asia Minor. It was introduced in military bands and later it had its use spread over newly conquered areas by Islam. During the Ottoman Empire, the instrument, with the name zurna, was spread even more extensively, this time towards Europe. Its timbre is shiny and powerful and its uses were varied: in ceremonial and military bands; in funeral music (in Armenia it is still used for this purpose); to escort notable believers to the Friday prayers (sacred day for Islamism); to mark the beginning of a pilgrimage; to exercise the sentinel function; in annual celebrations of floods of the Nile; and in types of shadow theatre with puppets. At present the instrument is used in outdoor parties with music, normally composing small ensembles (generally two ghaytas and one or more drums), or in ghayta and drum duos. These ghayta and drums ensembles are also common in weddings, circumcision parties, dances, games, competitions, Independence Day national celebrations, festivals, manifestations and demonstrations.

Classification: 422.112 (Single) oboes with conical bore

Additional names: Zamr-el-kebyr (Source: BASE MINERVA, 2014), surnay (GROVE MUSIC ONLINE, 2014)

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