OCARINA
The ocarina is an ancient wind instrument
belonging to the family of vessel flutes. Its origins date
back over 12,000 years, making it one of the earliest known
forms of musical expression in human history. Ocarinas have
been found across various cultures worldwide, particularly in
Mesoamerica, China, and Europe. Traditionally crafted from
materials such as ceramic, clay, and other natural substances,
the ocarina is characterized by an enclosed vessel with a
series of finger holes and a mouthpiece through which air is
blown to produce sound. Its global diffusion reflects
humanity's deep connection to music. There are various types
of ocarinas around the world, for example: the
transverse ocarina (the most popular style of
ocarina, popularized by Italian musician Giuseppe Donati in
the 19th century) which has a sweet potato shape with 10
finger holes, allowing for a wide range of pitches; the
pendant ocarina, common in Asia, particularly
in China (called the sun) which is smaller, with fewer holes
offering a limited range of notes;
Inline ocarinas usually rectangular or
oval-shaped, with a similar or identical fingering system to
transverse ocarinas;
multi-chamber ocarinas (better known as
"double" and "triple" ocarinas) molded into one body, with two
separate sets of finger holes that allow players to produce
harmonies and a broader pitch range, etc.
The Runik Ocarina is one of the most
significant archaeological finds in Southeast Europe.
Discovered in the village of Runik, located in the Drenica
region of Kosova, and dating back at least 8,000 years, it is
the first prehistoric musical instrument ever recorded in the
Kosovo area. It is made from finely cleaned, baked clay, has a
mouthpiece or blowhole at the top, a few finger holes around
its body, and stands 8 centimeters tall. The Runik Ocarina was
uncovered in the early 1970s originally housed in the National
Museum of Kosovo, then in the late 1990s it was taken by
Serbian authorities and remains in Serbia to this day. Given
its antiquity, the Runik ocarina is an invaluable piece of
musical heritage, shedding light on early Balkan and European
music traditions. While it is a simple instrument compared to
modern ocarinas, it exemplifies the long-standing human
fascination with creating sound. Shaqir Hoti (1936-2021) was a
prominent craftsman and musician from Kosovo, known for his
expertise in making traditional musical instruments,
particularly ocarinas. He played a significant role in
preserving the cultural heritage of the Runik ocarina through
his craftsmanship, creating replicas of this ancient
instrument
