Accession Number
CCEA-L1995.13
Title
Chang (Jew's Harp)
Object Type
chang
Creator
unknown
Date Made
1968
Place Made
Asia: Pakistan, Punjab, Rawalpindi
Culture
Asian, Pakistani
Materials and Techniques
Metal, Iron
Measurements
overall: 13.9 x 4.5 cm
Description
The chang, or "Jew's Harp" is a plucked idiophone made of iron. Found throughout much of the world, Jew's Harps (or, alternatively, Jaws' Harps) are not harps at all and have no historic association with Jewish…
The chang, or "Jew's Harp" is a plucked idiophone made of iron. Found throughout much of the world, Jew's Harps (or, alternatively, Jaws' Harps) are not harps at all and have no historic association with Jewish traditions. The name might be a mistranslation of a French word, 'jouer', which means 'to play'. Whatever its origins, the Jew's Harp has remained popular because it is portable and relatively easy to play - one can create a wide range of sounds almost immediately. Jew's Harps are commonly made from forged metal (usually iron, sometimes silver). They have a thin frame with either a rectangular, onion/lyre or elongated shape. One end of the frame is closed, the other end left open. Attached to the closed end is a single key or tongue which is plucked to create a buzzing tone.
Credit Line
On Loan from Dr. Regula B. Qureshi
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Citation
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Page Citation for CCEA-L1995.13 - Chang (Jew's Harp)
Page Citation
"CCEA-L1995.13 - Chang (Jew's Harp), Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology - Artifacts." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/14-61804. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.