Conch (instrument)

The conch (Sanskrit: Sankha, hindi: śaṅkh, Tib: ing dkar, Japanese :阵 贝, jinkai, or法螺 贝, horagai, trumpet snails, falsely: conch ) is the simplest and oldest trumpet instrument.

Dissemination

The conch (mainly Turbinella rapa, synonym T. pyrum ) made ​​from the shell of a sea snail, the tip is cut off at the most common, along blown snails. This guy was widespread from the Mediterranean over Tibet, India, the Malay Archipelago, Japan, Fiji, New Zealand and much of America. At transversely blown screw horns a mouthpiece is fitted to a laterally drilled embouchure. Such instruments were in Madagascar, the Malay Archipelago, Micronesia and Polynesia.

Often the snail shell undergoes a decoration by engraving or metal frames. Sometimes a mouthpiece made ​​of metal is used. By blowing with closed lips formed like a horn or a trumpet on the principle of cushion whistle a distinctive and penetrating sound. In many cases, serve snails horns to the service of the gods or to fight against evil spirits.

Regional forms

In Tibetan ritual music, the conch ( making kar ) is usually played in pairs, so that the sound while breathing one of the two players is not interrupted. It is used as a tool in rituals, such as the expulsion of evil spirits. Furthermore, it is next to parasol, treasure vase, fish, lotus flower, victory banner, Endless Knot and wheel of one of the eight auspicious symbols (Sanskrit Ashtamangala ) in Tibetan Buddhism. Especially in the nature very rarely occurring white, Clockwise screw flange on the right path - the tone for the dissemination of the teachings of the Buddha.

Similarly, snails horns were used in Japan, especially of those associated with Buddhism Yamabushi. The symbolism of the horagai remains buddhist, but the horns were used except for Sutrenrezitation and ritual accompaniment as signals in the mountainous regions of Japan.

In the Indian cultural area, it only occurs in the sacral area and this is different from the old cow horn ( Shringa ), which was previously only used for signaling purposes. In Hinduism the conch next wheel, mace and lotus one of the four main symbols of Vishnu, the god of sustenance and getting. In Hinduism, Buddha is regarded as the ninth incarnation of Vishnu. Therefore, the old Vedic god Indra, the Buddha is depicted in Buddhist sculptures often, the conch of Vishnu passes.

The Goddess Durga takes as Mahishasuramardini in the fight against the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura, but from his blood arise constantly new giants. Therefore she asks Vishnu for help, sends a personalized sankha that absorbs the blood and Durga helps to victory. Durga is depicted with the trumpet snails in the upper left hand and hair of the demon in the lower left hand. Similarly defeated the Greek sea god Triton in his trumpet snails Charonia tritonis blowing the Giants.

In Thai Buddhism the Vaishnava background of singing called snail horn was preserved. His auspicious significance becomes apparent when pairs is poured at the wedding water from a conch on the hands. The singing is blown in the tradition gracefully parades and ceremonies of the Thai royal family.

In processions, the traditional to the Royal Military Music Daechwita include in Korea, playing alongside the great worm horns nagak among other flat gong jing, Sanduhrtrommeln janggu and as more Instruments the long trumpet Nabal and Kegeloboe taepyeongso.

In Oceania snail horns were used primarily as ceremonial and signal instruments. They came on numerous islands in Micronesia and Polynesia. The New Zealand Maori call her today putatara still played conch. Groups of two to nine winds are known around the island belonging to Tonga Niuatoputapu for their polyphonic play on special occasions.

Narrated snail horns are also from Assyria, which were used in religious rites in the period around 2000 to 1500 BC.

Priest altmexikanischer cultures used the case of snails ( in Nahuatl Tecciztli or Quiquiztli ) with which they conjured rain gods. In South America, screw horns were made ​​by both the Chimu and the Inca from the housings of fencers snails ( Strombus ) and are today known pututu among the Quechua name. When the Incas brought a fast runner, Chaski, news and blew a pututu to announce itself.