Duma (epic)

A Duma (Ukrainian: дума, plural dumy) is an oral epic poem which originated in Ukraine during the Cossack era, possibly based on earlier Kyivan epic forms. Historically, dumy were performed by itinerant Cossack bards called kobzari, who accompanied themselves on a kobza or a bandura and were often blind; or by lirnyks, players of lira (also known as relya), a Ukrainian variety of hurdy-gurdy. Dumas are sung in recitative, in the so-called "duma mode", a variety of the Dorian mode with a raised fourth degree. Dumy were vocal works built around historical events, many dealing with military action in some forms. Embedded in these historical events were religious and moralistic elements. There are themes of the struggle of the Cossacks against enemies of different faiths or events occurring on religious feast-days. Although the narratives of the dumy mainly revolve around war, the dumy themselves do not promote courage in battle. The dumy rather impart a moral message on how one should conduct oneself properly in the relationships with family, community, and church. However, the kobzari did not play only religious songs and dumy. They also played "satirical songs (sometimes openly scabrous); dance melodies; either with or without words; lyric songs; and historical songs".