Rekindled kaval in Serbia in 1990s and kaval and ney in Sufi traditions in the Middle East: the aspects of music and meanings

Abstract

In this paper, the emphasis is placed on the parallel in the understanding and perception of playing of long ductless half-transverse flutes in Orthodox Christians and Sufis. The paper was based on observing and studying of living musical practice of the kaval in Belgrade, Serbia, in a specific context enabling specific perception of playing it. Speaking of Serbia, it is about the area of the central Balkans, where there is a plentitude of indigenous traditions which have been preserved till the present date and where different influences have been crossing over. Here also the cultural identities of the Mediterranean, of the East, and of the Central Europe have been negotiated over a long period of time.