Iso-Polyphony

Iso-Polyphony
A traditional male group performing
Native name
Iso-polifonia
Stylistic originsAlbanian music
Typical instrumentsHuman voice
Albanian folk iso-polyphony
CountryAlbania
Reference00155
RegionEurope and North America
Inscription history
Inscription2008 (3rd session)
ListRepresentative

Iso-Polyphony (Albanian: Iso-polifonia) is a traditional part of Albanian folk music and, as such, is included in UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.[1] Albanian Iso-Polyphony is considered to have its roots in the many-voiced vajtim, the southern Albanian traditional lamentation of the dead. The instrumental expression of the Albanian Iso-Polyphony evolved into the Albanian kaba.[2]

All four regions of southern Albania—Lalëria (Myzeqe), Toskëria, Çamëria, and Labëria—have polyphonic song as part of their culture. A related form of polyphonic singing is found in northern Albania, in the area of Peshkopi; Polog, Tetovo, Kičevo and Gostivar in North Macedonia; and Malësia in northern Albania and southern Montenegro.[3]

Labëria is particular well known for multipart singing; songs can have two, three, or four parts. Two-part songs are sung only by women. Three-part songs can be sung by men and women. Four part songs are a Labërian specialty. Research has shown that four-part songs developed after three-part ones, and that they are the most complex form of polyphonic singing.[4]

The Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival, Albania, (Albanian: Festivali Folklorik Kombëtar), has been held every five years in the month of October since 1968, and it typically includes many polyphonic songs.[5]

  1. ^ "UNESCO Culture Sector – Intangible Heritage – 2003 Convention". Unesco.org. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
  2. ^ Tole 2022, pp. 43–45.
  3. ^ Ardian Ahmedaja, Gerlinde Haid (2008). European voices: Multipart singing in the Balkans and the Mediterranean, Volume 1, p. 210, 243–44. ISBN 9783205780908.
  4. ^ Ahmedaja, Haid (2008), p.214-215
  5. ^ Ahmedaja, Haid (2008), p.241