:: Percussion musical instrument - Doli
Percussion musical instrument - Doli
Doli is a widespread percussion instrument all over Georgia. It is particularly widespread in the plains region of Georgia. It represents a small wooden cylinder (1), both sides of which are covered with leather (2). The leather is stretched with straps, which are threaded into the iron circles(3). Doli’s body is made of wood; they give the form of cylinder to it and stretch the leather on it. The Doli’s height and diameter of sound producing surface are about 3 to 1.
The doli is an instrument traditionally played by men. It is played by palms and fingers (in some cases by sticks). When playing doli is held under the player’s left armpit or hung over the shoulder. Doli player plays the instrument in a sitting position or dances during performance. In order to achieve forte (a stronger, louder tone) the drummer will strike the head in the middle. When he wants to achieve piano (a softer tone), the drummer will play the edges of the doli. While dancing doli creates the rhythm of a dance. Sometimes the "Medole", the man playing the doli, is involved in dancing. Usually Doli is accompanying with Chonguri, Chiboni, Garmoni and Duduki.
The doli has been used throughout history as an accompaniment to war, knights’ battles, victory celebrations, honored guests’ visits, etc. According to the old Georgian literature, the "Naghara", one of the names of the doli, was the permanent instrument for warriors. Traditionally, players of the naghara were leaders of the armies.
A Georgian legend tells how hunters used hawks to hunt water birds and pheasants. Hunters never allowed their hawks to hunt for water birds while the waterfowl were swimming, because the waterfowl could simply disappear in the water and the hawk would be unsuccessful. Rather, the hunters just used a small doli that had been secured to the hunters’ saddles. The hunters would begin playing the doli which would frighten the water birds. When the birds flew up, the hunters released the hawks. The hawk could quickly catch the waterfowl in the air.
Go to top
