#gdansk

Kashubian Girl with a Traditional Instrument: Devil's Fiddle

The “Devil’s Fiddle” (Kashubian: diabelské skrzëpce; Polish: diabelskie skrzypce) is a traditional instrument of the Kashubian people, an Indigenous Lechitic ethnic group of Northern Poland.

Although its name suggests a string instrument, it's neither a fiddle nor a violin. Instead, it consists of a tall wooden staff crowned with a carved demonic head and adorned with ribbons, bells, and other small sound-making elements. A metal plate or spring is typically attached at the base. The player strikes the staff against the ground or shakes it to produce rhythmic sounds, making it primarily a percussion instrument used to accompany dancing and singing.

another morning by the sea