Kobza - and Lyre-Playing Tradition Кобзарсько-лірницька традиція

Duma (plural: dumy) is a Ukrainian tradition of epic sung poetry, performed historically by itinerant blind bards known as kobzari and lirnyky. It features declamatory, recitative-like melodies delivered in a free, flexible meter (parlando-rubato), with melismatic ornamentation and a narrow ambitus. Narratives recount Cossack-era exploits, captivity laments, moral dilemmas, and spiritual reflections, typically concluding with a didactic or prayerful coda. The primary accompaniment instruments are the bandura, kobza, or hurdy-gurdy (lira), giving the genre its distinctive, resonant timbre.