A duma is an oral epic poem that originated in Ukraine during the Cossack era, possibly based on earlier Kyivan epic forms. Historically, dumy were performed by itinerant Cossack bards called kobzari, who accompanied themselves on a kobza or bandura and were often blind, or by lirnyks, players of the lira, a Ukrainian variety of hurdy-gurdy. Dumas are sung in recitative, in the so-called duma mode, a variety of the Dorian mode with a raised fourth degree.
Facts
Place of Origin Notable Example Defining TraitSung in recitative in the duma mode, a Dorian mode with a raised fourth degree 1 FAQs
Is the word duma Ukrainian in origin?
The name is Polish; the songs are not.
No. The word duma comes from Polish rather than from Ukrainian, so the name for Ukrainian epic songs is a borrowing. The songs themselves are not borrowed: they do not derive from Polish literary or musical traditions and form an indigenous oral epic form of the Cossack Hetmanate.
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Source Duma (epic) - WikipediaLead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia articleQuote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article
A Duma (Ukrainian: дума, plural dumy) is an oral epic poem which originated in Ukraine during the Cossack era, possibly based on earlier Kyivan epic forms.
Sources
1. Duma (epic) - Wikipedia
Lead section, paragraph 1
A Duma (Ukrainian: дума, plural dumy) is an oral epic poem which originated in Ukraine during the Cossack era.
Notable Dumas section
Duma of Cossack Holota (Ukrainian: Дума про козака Голоту), earliest fully recorded Ukrainian duma, whose text was published in 1684
Structure and classification section
Dumas are sung in recitative, in the so-called 'duma mode', a variety of the Dorian mode with a raised fourth degree.
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