Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifacic, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music.

Original scientific paper UDK 398:78 Received: 2 9 . 1 . 1 9 9 6

TARANKANJE : A DISAPPEARING MUSIC

TRADITION

RUZA BONIFACIC
Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Research, Zagreb

T h e folk term tarankanje refers either to a specific traditional way o f

singing or to a playing technique in South-Western Croatia. T h i s
article elaborates on its c o m m o n e s t meaning as the vocal imitation
o f l o c a l instrumental p r a c t i c e . Tarankanje is c l a s s i f i e d with
reference to the relationship o f text and music in three types based
either on meaningless syllables or l y r i c s , or - in most cases - on
both, and is documented with m u s i c e x a m p l e s . T h e p r o c e s s o f
gradual but inevitable disappearance o f this t e c h n i c a l l y c o m p l e x
regional m u s i c tradition from both living music practice and from
the m e m o r y o f the older generation o f informants, indicates its
further investigation and documentation before it is too late.

In South-Western Croatia, i.e. on the Istrian peninsula and in the Kvarner

Bay area (along the Northern Croatian Littoral including the Northern
1
Adriatic islands) there existed - and still does to a lesser degree - a special
2
music tradition, which is called tarankanje by most of the people who
practice it. This folk term has two basic meanings:

T h e islands o f K r k , C r e s , R a b , L o š i n j , Sušak, the western part o f Pag, and some smaller

ones.
T h i s term exists in three forms, most frequently in its verbal form (tarankat, tararajkat
e t c . ) , and more rarely in the two derivatives: the noun denoting a song (tarankavica,

149
 Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifacic, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music...

(1) a manner of singing used to

(a) imitate local instrumental practice, or
(b) perform certain songs to the playing of traditional
instruments;
(2) a playing technique for traditional instruments.
The majority of informants usually indicates the first meaning; therefore,
this text will commence with it and give it more significance in the article.

The first meaning: the m a n n e r of singing

This technically complex and for performers very demanding way of

singing imitates the playing of traditional wind instruments - mostly
shawms (sopile from the Kvarner Bay area and rozenice from Istria), or,
less often, a double flute (dvojkinje), or a double clarinet (misnjice, surle),
sometimes with an attached bag (mih) - (sub-meaning la).
Research done during the Eighties and at the beginning of the
Nineties has shown that tarankanje continues to exist in the memories of
3
informants, but very rarely in living music practice. During the first half
of this century tarankanje still served mainly as an accompaniment to

tararajkavica etc.) and the verbal noun (tarankanje, tararajkanje etc.). A s the last form
denotes the phenomenon in its widest s e n s e , it is most frequently used in the present
article.
T h e term in the form o f the verbal infinitive c o m e s in several variants, such as tarajkat
(for the island o f K r k - Z i c 1 9 1 0 : 1 6 4 — 1 6 5 ; B o n i f a c i c and W e b e r 1 9 9 2 : 2 4 6 3 ) ; taranjkat
(for the island o f K r k - B o n i f a c i c 1 9 8 7 : 1 9 6 4 ) ; tararajkat (for the island o f K r k - Stefanie
1944:5; Zganec 1955:C1; Bonifacic 1981:1735, 1987:1963, 1986:1735, 1 8 0 2 - 1 8 0 4 ,
B o n i f a c i c and W e b e r 1 9 9 2 : 2 4 5 1 — 2 4 5 2 , 2 4 6 7 — 2 4 6 8 ) ; tararankat (for Istria - Ivancan
1 9 6 3 : 3 3 ; for the Northern Croatian Littoral - Kabalin 1 9 8 3 : 1 0 4 ; for the island o f K r k -
- Galin 1 9 8 0 : 1 3 6 8 , 1 3 7 3 , 1 3 7 6 — 1 3 7 7 ; B o n i f a c i c and W e b e r 1 9 9 2 : 2 4 5 1 ) ; tananikat (for
the island o f K r k - Sirola 1 9 3 2 : 3 1 ; for Novi Vinodolski - K a r a b a i c 1 9 5 6 : 7 0 ; for Kastav
and Istria - Kabalin. 1 9 8 3 : 1 0 4 ) . T h e term tarankat is used most frequently in literature as
well as by informants (for the Croatian Littoral and Istria - K a r a b a i c 1 9 5 6 : 7 0 ; for the
Northern Croatian Littoral - Kabalin 1 9 8 3 : 1 0 4 ; for the Kastav area - Galin 1 9 8 0 : 1 3 8 2 ;
for the island o f K r k - Stefanie 1 9 4 4 : 5 — 6 ; T a s and Maissen 1 9 5 4 : A 8 , B 6 5 ; Z g a n e c
1 9 5 5 : 1 C ; B o n i f a c i c 1 9 8 7 : 1 9 6 3 ; Galin 1 9 7 9 : 1 3 6 1 ; for the island o f Cres - B o n i f a c i c and
W e b e r 1 9 8 2 : 2 4 5 3 — 2 4 5 6 ; for the island o f Susak - Z g a n e c 1 9 5 7 : 3 4 7 ) and this c o m m o n
practice is also followed in the present article.
3
Cf. B o n i f a c i c 1 9 8 1 — 1 9 9 0 , B o n i f a c i c and W e b e r 1 9 9 2 and 1 9 9 4 ; B o n i f a c i c 1 9 8 8 ;
1 9 9 0 : 7 4 — 9 8 , 133 — 1 9 3 ; 1 9 9 1 . T h i s article is the first written report on the j o i n t field
research by M i c h a e l W e b e r from Institut für Musikwissenschaft der Universität W i e n
and the present author. T h e research was c o m m e n c e d in 1 9 9 2 on the islands o f K r k and
Cres. T h e rich and varied repertoire indicated the need for study o f broader s c o p e , so
more intensive field research followed in 1 9 9 4 on the island o f C r e s . All the audio and
video material is stored in the Phonogrammarchiv der Österreichischen A k a d e m i e der
W i s s e n s c h a f t e n in V i e n n a and most o f the audio c o p i e s in the Phonothèque o f the
Institute o f Ethnology and Folklore Research in Zagreb.
For details about the other researchers and the ways o f study, see below in the text.

150
 Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifacic, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music...

traditional dances, when the company was in the mood for dancing and no
4 5
instruments were available. It was sometimes sung during walks, or
simply for entertainment, when it occasionally turned into a kind of
competition, a show of the singers' endurance and inventiveness.
Sometimes it took place in the intervals between performances on
traditional instruments.
The second sub-meaning of tarankanje, ( l b ) , is a specific way of
singing to the playing of traditional wind instruments. It is rarely
mentioned spontaneously by informants. In certain areas in the researched
region, this vocal practice is almost completely neglected today (e.g. on
the island of Krk), while in other nearby places (e.g. on the island of Cres)
it is mentioned only at the insistence of the researcher. I do not provide
music examples for (lb) in this article because it has been established, on
6
the basis of material from the island of Cres, that many tarankavice can
be performed, either continuously or in parts, parallel to the playing of
traditional instruments, if one basic pre-condition is met - identical
metrorhythmical concurrence of the vocal and instrumental performance.
So the music examples of the tarankavice noted down in the context of
the first sub-meaning (Nos. 2—5) could also be performed in the context
of the second one.
The questions remain of why singing of tarankavice to an
accompaniment is a rare occurrence today and/or why its disappearance
from living music practice had begun earlier than that of ( l a ) . The
fundamental reason is the non-existence of the primary function of
tarankanje, which is, to reiterate, imitation of the playing which serves as
accompaniment to traditional dances. Tarankanje along with playing can
enrich the music performed, emphasize the talent of the musician (when
he himself simultaneously taranka-s and plays) or his colleagues (one or
two who sing as he plays), initiate an even more cheerful mood among the
dancers and the onlookers present, so that they, too, may be inspired to
join in the dancing. However, all these phenomena are of secondary

4
Apart from the traditional wind instruments mentioned which s e r v e to provide an
accompaniment to dance, in Istria various violin (sometimes viola) and bass bands have
still today retained an important role (for details see M a r u s i c 1 9 9 5 : 6 4 — 7 5 ) . T h e
diatonic a c c o r d i o n and the two-stringed lambura were also played throughout the
region; these are still used in Istria ( M a r u s i c 1 9 9 5 : 6 5 — 6 6 , 7 8 — 7 9 ) , while on the
Kvarner B a y islands they have b e c o m e very rare ( B o n i f a c i c 1 9 8 1 — 1 9 9 0 , B o n i f a c i c and
Weber 1 9 9 2 and 1 9 9 4 ) .
5
Tarankanje was performed while walking by the sea, on Sundays, on holidays, in the mill
while pressing olives, during L e n t when entertainment was banned in the villages and
young people c a m e together away from them ( B o n i f a c i c 1 9 8 6 : 1 9 8 7 ) , when young men
called on girls ( Z i c 1 9 1 0 : 1 6 5 ) , and at weddings ( M i l c e t i c 1 8 9 6 : 1 6 4 ) .
6
Cf. footnote No. 2 .

151
 Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifacic, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music...

importance, and the dance can be held without all of them, simply to the
instrumental music alone.
The first meaning of tarankanje is based on the alternation of the
7
lyrics and meaningless syllables (such as tanana, nana, tarara etc.), or
uses either meaningless syllables only, or the lyrics only. Two-part singing
8
is typical for this region; in the case of tarankanje, almost always by two
male singers. The concept of musicians being men belongs to the norms
of the inhabitants of this region; so, men are also expected to perform the
vocal imitation, too, of the traditional playing, or to sing the appropriate
9
songs with the playing.
The essential features of tarankanje are strict metre and rhythm and
a steady tempo, which serve as a basis for dancing (and therefore should
not be changed). As an accompaniment to tarankanje, the singers often
beat their feet on the ground in time with the dance rhythm, which
reinforces the rhythmical pulse of the singing. The same procedure is also
characteristic for traditional playing, by which the tarankanje even more
faithfully imitates the same. But the double or triple metre (depending on
the dance which is being accompanied by tarankanje - mostly the
mazurka, tanac or polka in the Kvarner Bay area, or the balun, the most
widely spread dance in Istria) is just a basis, on which more or less
complex rhythmical variations are performed.

The second meaning: the playing technique

Less frequently mentioned by informants is the sense of tarankanje as a

complex technique of playing the traditional wind instruments, primarily
the shawms. A player pronounces meaningless syllables, while

7
It s e e m s that the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c above-mentioned syllables indicate the o n o m a t o p o e i c
origin o f the word tarankanje. Through frequent use o f the consonant n and rendition
partly through the n o s e , tarankanje gets its characteristic nasal tone. On the other hand,
introduction o f the c o n s o n a n t r gives a sharp, shrill sound. B y alternate use o f these
c o n s o n a n t s , tarankanje in yet another way approaches imitation o f the sound o f
traditional instruments, particularly the shawms. T h e r e f o r e , one could hardly subscribe
to Ivan M i l c e t i c ' s opinion ( 1 8 9 6 : 1 6 6 ) that it is "by origin, probably an Italian word
(tarrocare - to protest loudly, impatiently)".
8
T h e first sub-meaning always concerns two-part singing; the second sub-meaning also
includes the possibility o f one-part tarankanje in which the singer performs one part and
the player both.
9
F e m a l e players have been emerging during the last few decades, enrolled in various
seminars about the traditional m u s i c and d a n c e o f the mentioned r e g i o n , and as
participants in festival competitions. However, their activity has still not changed the
mentioned norm in this region. Tarankanje is sometimes performed by talented older
female singers, but in private circles or at the request o f researchers, and this is almost
always accompanied by an apology stating that men are better at it, or by their direct
suggestion that the men be asked, to perform.

152
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifacic, T a r a n k a n j e ; A Disappearing Music...

simultaneously beating his tongue against his palate and the reed of the
instrument, by which the staccato articulation is achieved. The use of
tarankanje in playing instruments serves as a norm by which the
informants divide the musicians into superior ones (those who perform in
10
public) and inferior ones (those who play for smaller groups of people,
and largely in houses or on the road; Galin 1979:1361).

Common features

Both meanings, the one related to vocal and the other to instrumental
music, are intermingled and have much in common: both refer to
enunciation of the syllables tanana, tar or a etc., both mean a complex and
ornamented way of performing (singing or playing), both are performed
mostly by skilled singers or players, and both are often accompanied by
rhythmical stamping on the ground.

Tarankanje and kanat

The informants draw strict distinction between tarankanje as a specific way

of singing and the usual, slower, ornamented and metrorhythmically less
11
strict way of singing called kanat. In answer to the question "na koju
notu " ["to which note", i.e., tune] a certain song is to be performed, the
informant Jakomina Maracic Jiviceva from the village of Punat on the
island of Krk responded "It's not a note, it's a tararajkavica ". I asked her
further whether tarankanje could be termed a "note". "This we call
tararajkat [to perform tarankanje] and that we call kantat [to sing]"
(Bonifacic 1987:1962). These conceptions as well as the common features
of the two senses of tarankanje have probably led the late Croatian
ethnomusicologist Nedjeljko Karabaic to the conclusion that "tarankanje
is, by its nature and its function, a bridge between vocal and instrumental
music" (1956:70).
As regards interval structure, tarankanje in the first sense does not
differ from the kanat, prevalent in the observed region. Both ways of
singing belong to the so-called narrow interval style (see: Bezic 1981).
The tone rows of the tunes either consist of 4—6 chromatically linked
tones, or the whole tones and semitones may alternate in various ways. It is
important to point out that these intervals differ from the tempered system
of 12 equal semitones, some of them being narrower, and some wider. The

At the most popular meeting places such as the main square (the placa) or the village
hall (the dorri).
The folk term has its origins in the Italian cantare - to sing.

153
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifačić, T a r a n k a n j e ; A Disappearing Music.

same applies to the parallel diminished/minor thirds and augmented/major

sixths in which this two-part singing mainly moves ending in unison or
octave.

Sources

Vocal imitation of the playing of instruments has not been accorded very
much attention in Croatia. Apart from mention of this phenomenon in
papers which deal with the region of South-Western Croatia, the only study
found so far concerning other regions, but devoted to this theme, is that by
Stjepan Stepanov (1962). The reasons for this probably lie in the
complexity of this manner of singing which demands appropriate music-
-making contexts, as well as good recording equipment followed by
patient transcription.
If we take into account the fact that traditional music in Croatia,
right up until the middle of this century, was written down mainly directly
at the performance itself, that is, without the aid of recording equipment,
the activity required multiple repetition by the performer of one and the
same song, and considerable interest and persistence on the part of the
researcher. In addition, it could only be done out of context, because the
repetition which made notation possible had to be carried under special
circumstances, agreed upon previously. On the other hand, this meant a
loss of the spontaneity and liveliness of the music-making found in usual
conditions. By the time that recording equipment started to be used more
frequently, there was already an evident fall in representation of
tarankanje in music practice, which had begun earlier for the reasons
given below.
In the course of this century Croatian researchers observed
tarankanje primarily in its first meaning and analysed it from various
aspects. They often mentioned the term in their written reports, and for
some areas this serves as the sole proof of the existence of this way of
12
singing. The lyrics have been set down mostly in the Kastav area and in
13
Istria. Only a few ethnomusicologists transcribed the tunes; there are
some examples of these from Istria and Kastav and from the island of

In the Norhtern Croatian Littoral.

See e.g. for the Kastav area - Jardas 1 9 5 7 ; for Istria - Ivancan 1 9 6 3 , B o n i f a c i c R o z i n
1953.

154
 Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifacio, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music.

14
Sušak. The island of Krk is somewhat better represented thanks to the
15
efforts of N. Karabaić.
The sound recordings of tarankanje have been made largely on the
16
islands of Krk and Cres, in Istria and Kastav. No data about this manner
of singing has as yet been collected, to my knowledge, on the islands of
Rab, Lošinj and Pag.
Nowadays, the earlier recordings can serve only for mere
information due to the poor sound quality which often results in the
uncomprehensibility of the text. They were mostly made outside of
customary context; as the researchers were interested, primarily, in the
music structure, most of them recorded the tarankanje itself, but not what
was said about it (apart from Krešimir Galin, Ivan Ivančan and some
others). This thwarted the possibility of monitoring the process of
disappearance of this vocal tradition.
Carrying out detailed research of tarankanje during the Eighties and
at the beginning of the Nineties on the islands of Krk and Cres (from
1992 in collaboration with Michael Weber), I was no longer able to record
17
it in its natural context. On the island of Cres, owing to prolonged
preliminary preparations and contacts, I succeeded, on a number of
occasions, to rouse considerable interest on the part of performers in
recording of tarankanje. Relaxed and in good spirits, the singers and
players started to compete in improvisation, making it possible for me to
draw closer and to obtain a more precise insight into what had been the
living context of this vocal tradition.

Classification of vocal tarankanje

Analysing the existing published, manuscript and taped material

concerning this region, one can classify the vocal tarankanje into different
groups. I consider analysis of the relationship between text and music to
be the most interesting aspect, and base the following classification on this
criterion:
1/ The first type of tarankanje is made up of meaningless syllables only.
This makes it possible for the singer to demonstrate his musical
capability regarding the skill of the most faithful imitation of the

1 4
C f . for the island o f K r k - K a r a b a i ć 1 9 5 6 ; for Istria - Matetić-Ronjgov 1 9 3 9 , Stepanov
1963, Žganec 1 9 5 7 , Karabaić 1952:155N, 158N, 161N, 162N, 167N.
1 5
Although this characteristically two-part singing is, unfortunately, transcribed mostly
in one voice only.
1 6
S e e e.g. Ž g a n e c 1 9 5 5 : C 1 ; Ivančan 1 9 5 7 : A l l ; S r e m a c 1 9 8 6 : 1 8 9 6 - 1 8 9 7 ; Galin 1 9 7 9 -
- 1 9 8 0 : 1 3 6 1 , 1373, 1376.
1 7
Cf. Bonifacio 1 9 8 1 — 1 9 9 0 , Bonifacio and W e b e r 1 9 9 2 and 1 9 9 4 .

155
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifacic, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music...

playing of traditional instruments (Music Example No. 1 - tarankanje

18
which accompanies the dance tanac and imitates the playing of
19
sopile).
21 The second type consists of lyrics only. A larger part of one song or a
combination of several songs is performed (depending on the number
of verses known by the singers). Here the singer demonstrates his
memory as regards both the length of the songs (Music Example No.
2) and their number.
If one looks at the music structure, these two types show common
features. The melody stanzas are built up with barely altered or slightly
varied repetition, usually of two different melody sections. The tunes
are mainly syllabic; beats are divided mainly into smaller parts (usually
into two).
3/ The third and the most common type is a combination of the preceding
two: meaningless syllables and lyrics alternate. An essential factor
differentiating this type from the foregoing ones is the refrain, based
on meaningless syllables, almost regularly introduced between the
larger and smaller parts of the songs. In length - number of bars - it
can be equal to the melody stanza with lyrics, half as long or twice as
long. It is based on the initial tune and the metrorhythmical pattern of
the tarankavica. It can be either very similar to the first part of the song
(Music Example No. 3 ) , or, as in majority of cases, more complex and
elaborated (Music Examples No. 4 and 5). On the other hand, the part
with lyrics is simpler and has all the characteristics of clearly defined,
syllabic singing, the basic reason for this being to make the words more
intelligible.
It is understandable why this type is the most favoured among performers:
it gives much more leeway for manoeuvering. For example, if after a
certain number of verses the singer is unable to remember how the song
continues, he could resort to performing a meaningless refrain which
serves as a kind of break in which he recalls the verses of a new song. This

T h e folk term tanac denotes both dance in general and a special type o f dance. Here it is
used in its narrower meaning.
A s regards m y own transcriptions in the attached music e x a m p l e s , I followed B e l a
Bartok's transcription method, writing arrows above the notes for tones approximately
1/4 higher or lower than the note written (Bartok 1951:177). T h e arrows are placed on
the basis o f measurements made using a Korg WT-12 c h r o m a t i c tuner which indicated
aberration o f 2 0 — 5 0 cents.
In all the songs in which meaningful (lyrics) and meaningless syllables are c o m b i n e d ,
the latter are underlined. Underlining with brackets indicates inserted m e a n i n g l e s s
s y l l a b l e s within the m e l o d y s e c t i o n s . T h e metre and the sporadic rhymes o f the
Croatian original are not respected in the English translation; emphasis is placed on
transmission o f the content o f the songs.

156
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifacic, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music...

type of singing is also the most inspiring because it gives the singer more
freedom to combine and join in various ways songs which are otherwise
incompatible in content, thus completely altering their original function.
N. Karabaic was correct when he concluded that "that is why tarankanje
creates fertile ground for contaminating [joining] songs with ostensibly
logical links" (1956:70).
So, the content of lyrics in tarankanje is generally of secondary
importance. Different songs are combined mostly by association. They are
about dancing, about places on the island, about the sea, about love -
- mostly motifs found in other songs from the same area. Very often,
however, the lyrics are humorous, sometimes satirical or even mocking;
some songs may also have an erotic component. Sometimes verses with
different numbers of syllables may alternate: ten, six, and eight units
(Music Example No. 5). The only requirement is that the verses fit the
basic metrorhythmical pattern which can be varied, but without disturbing
the initial grouping of beats.
This classification of the types of tarankanje should not be
understood too strictly. There are quite a few combinations based on the
described types. Within these combinations, the singers use common ways
of beginning, connecting or ending the songs which may be seen as a sort
of pattern.
Thus these songs frequently start with the introductory meaningless
syllables, such as
oja nina,
oja nina nena

which may be followed by a longish part of the song; then a refrain with
meaningless syllables may be thrown in at will. The cadence, by which one
singer indicates the end to the other, is frequently presented with the
verses:
oja nina, [oja nina,

ova j e finjena. this one is over.]

or:
o j , veselo! [ c o m e on, lively!]
Within these songs the following verses are frequently used as a linking
formula:

157
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifačić, T a r a n k a n j e ; A Disappearing Music..

Obrni j e , obrni, [Turn her round, turn her round,

samo mi j u ne zvrni, j u s t don't overturn her,
popadi j u za ručicu, grab her by her little hand,
ne stani njoj na nožicu. 20 don't tread on her little foot.]

At the moment when the singer cannot think of another line and the song
must go on - nothing should stop the dance - he often resorts precisely to
these verses. It seems, therefore, that regarding the text, the singers prefer
the popular patterns, which help them to refresh their memories and to
perform these frequently long and complex songs.

A disappearing tradition

My field research of the tarankanje singing on the islands of Krk and

Cres, together with studying of recorded and written material of other
authors, indicates that it still exists today in the observed region, although
in a considerably altered form. More significant changes can be observed
in regard to the function, presence in music practice, and structure of this
way of singing. One is based on another and grows out of it, they
intertwine, so that it is not possible to separate them clearly.
What are the causes of the process of change and disappearance of
this interesting music tradition? As has been said on the foregoing pages,
tarankanje singing with the playing of traditional instruments (lb) had a
shorter life as it had a secondary importance. Tarankanje singing as a
replacement for certain traditional instruments (la) has been losing its
primary function during this century, and is therefore gradually
disappearing from use.
The first reason for this is the appearance and spreading of music
instruments new to the researched region. Initially, these were the
chromatic accordion and the guitar, while various electro-acoustic bands
have been appearing since the mid-century. In the beginning, the new
instruments coexisted with the traditional ones, but gradually the latter
began to be squeezed out of musical life. Playing on traditional
instruments is narrowing and becoming linked with precisely determined
21
occasions.

T h e s e verses and their variants (see M u s i c E x a m p l e s Nos. 3 and 5 ) are very popular in
the observed region. P r e s u m a b l y , they had originally been c o m p o s e d as a part o f a
larger s o n g , but due to their content (speaking o f turning in dancing, which is a
characteristic feature o f most o f the traditional dances o f this region) they b e c a m e
independent and preserved as a separate whole, which was then c o m b i n e d with other
songs or their parts.
O f traditional e v e n t s , these are most frequently customs connected with the Carnival
period or wedding c u s t o m s ; with respect to occasions for performance which are o f

158
 Nar. umjel. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifacic, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music...

The second reason is connected with the manner in which music is

made. Along with spontaneous music-making, the inhabitants of these
regions come together increasingly through amateur cultural societies. As
early as the end of the last century and in the first half of this one, the
researched region, too, was caught up in the wave of the tamburica
movement which spread throughout Croatia, based on various
ensembles/orchestras made up of multiple-stringed tamburicas (the
mandolin was more highly represented among the Italian minority, and in
22
the towns). The music life began of brass bands and tavern music
(various bands in which the violin, piano, accordion, saxophone etc.
played an important part), also introducing new dances (the waltz, the
tango, and the Charleston).
The third reason regards the passive reception of music (i.e., just
listening to it), and partially active reception of music (which is danced to,
but no part is played in producing it), all transmitted by the mass media.
The sounds of tempered music are introduced in this way to even the most
remote places, and these are new music styles based mainly on modern
Western-European and Anglo-American culture. No events are held which
lack live music or its "taped" substitute. I consider the above three reasons
important for the process of disappearance of the contexts which sought
out the primary function of tarankanje.
Up to the beginning of this century traditional music had been the
prevalent and spontaneous mode of musical expression among older as
well as younger generations. During this century traditional singing, and
particularly tarankanje as a more complex form, has become harder to
transmit to the younger generations. Today, tarankanje can be heard very
rarely, mainly in performances by older singers. The younger people who
perform it are those interested in preservation of their local culture. They
are aware of the originality of tarankanje, and they use it to distinguish
themselves, usually at festivals, and sometimes at other public events.
Traditional music which lived as an essential part of the culture of this
region during the last century, and partly in this century, is altering its way
of life. One of the ways is transfer to the stage, making this music a part of
folklorism.
Young singers choose a specific song from the broad tarankanje
repertoire of their elders, learning exactly its tune, metre, rhythm, text and
form. However, being less versed performers, they do not go in for rich
variation and improvisation, thereby reducing the character of tarankanje

more recent origin, festivals could be mentioned, their o b j e c t i v e being to present, and
their hope being to revive tradition and develop it.
For detailed comparison, see March 1 9 8 3 ; Forry 1 9 8 3 and 1 9 9 0 ; B o n i f a c i c 1 9 9 5 : 6 5 —
- 7 7 , Marusic 1 9 9 5 : 6 4 - 6 7 .

159
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonijačić, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music.

to its opposite - stylised and ossified songs which they will perform in new
contexts without any basic changes. Influenced as they are by the
tempered music with which they are in almost constant contact, performers
who can sing tarankanje and the kanat in the narrow interval structure
have become rare. The majority of their performances show a broadening
of narrow intervals towards tempered ones. Tarankanje is increasingly
becoming a curio of this region, which will be shown to an interested
public as one of its tourist attractions.
The data presented in this article indicates that this complex music
phenomenon deserves wider scholarly attention and emphasizes the need
for further investigation and documentation in the time of fast and
profound change.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Svanibor Pettan, PhD for critically editing this paper,
for friendly encouragement and his persistence in seeing the paper written;
Prof. Franz Fodermayr for his constant interest and support throughout
this research; and Michael Weber, PhD for stimulating discussions, as well
as for the patient and conscientious field recording.

Music E x a m p l e s

1.
Punat, the island of Krk, 1955 The IEF Phonothèque, Tape No. CI
Performed by Nikola Žic (b. 1904) Recorded by Vinko Zganec
Jerolim Žic (b. 1895) Transcribed by Ruža Bonifačić

J = 150
T a - ra ra na - na na ne - na na - na na na
t — ' ti , , .

ritard.
na na-ra-na na-ra-na-na na-na..
-t—

na -
r -
i na - na..
3=
-r
J =156

m
Na-na na-ra-na na-ra-na na na na - na na na,

4P=u—R—U ! U
> MJU Y na na na-na na
f
na

160
Nar. umjet. 3311, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifačić, T a r a n k a n j e ; A Disappearing Music...

na na na - na na - na na na - na na na;

na ra na - na na - na : na na - na ne na;
na na na-na na na na-na ne na,

na-na na - na na-ra na-na na-na na-na na na,

na na na - na na na ne - na ne na;

na - na na na - na na - na na - ra na - na ne na;

na na na - na na - na na na - na ne na,

l l
^b b \D U' UU i l~
ra - ra ra - ra na - ra na - na na - na na - na na na,

na na na - na na - na na na - na na na;

^ b I D b-U b f P
l,l

na - ra na
l

na - na na - na na na - na ne na;
ho joj ni - na naj na na - na na na

ni na ni - na naj na ni - na ne na,

ni na na - na na - na na na - na na na;

)J l
§ b B b U^U U V
ni - na ni - na ni - na na - na na ni - na ne
i j

na;
ritard.
ho joj ni na na na-na naj.

'W i W f & V " *

ni na ni ne na na-na naj.

161
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifačić, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music.

Dobrinj, the island of Krk, 1986 The IEF Phonotheque, Tape No. 1897
Two performers from a larger group; Recorded by Stjepan Sremac
names not mentioned Transcribed by R. B .
J =132
Oj, M a - r i - c e , M a - r i - c e , za£temaj-ka ka - ra

m JTIJI n
K — VJ\ 1*51

Stamping on the ground: •

U - i UiJ i,n,H!i,n,n
da ne pri-maš da - ra od mla-dog m o r - n a - r a ?

da ne pri-maš ra od mla-dog mor-nar'?

ContinuallyJ—»]

Jer ve - ra i ne - ve - ra

r—LT T r 'EJ
Jer mor - na - ve - ra i ne - ve

on ć e te pre - va-ri - ti, pre - li - pa M a - ri - ji-ce.

i U tf< 1
i-j
o n ć e te p r e - v a - r i - t i , p r e - l i - p a M a - ric'.

Oj, Marice, Marice, [Oh, Mary, Mary,

zač te majka kara why does your mother warn you
da ne primaš dara not to take gifts
od mladog mornara? from a young sailor?

Jer mornaru B e c a u s e the sailor

vera i nevera, is fickle and faithless,
on ć e te prevariti, he will betray you,
prelipa M a r i j i c e . my pretty Maria.

Prevaril j e curu He betrayed a girl

od petnajst godina, of fifteen years' standing,
kamo n e ć e tebe, so why do you think
1
prelipa Marie . he won't betray you?

162
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifačić, T a r a n k a n j e ; A Disappearing Music.

O j , Marice, Marice, Oh, Mary, Mary,

bela golubice, you white turtle-dove,
za koga ti gojiš for whom do you save
tvoje belo l i š ć e ? your pretty white face?]

Rudanijstria, 1957 Ivan Ivančan (1963:155-156)

Performed by Ana Živolić (b. 1939) Recorded by Ivan Ivančan
Anđelo Rudan (b. 1930) Transcribed by Stjepan Stepanov

[J = cca 112]
: 5
_ i P
-y-
J ) j i
•
Ej, jo b r - ni se, _ 0 - 1 >r-1 li, (mi J k a - k oj k D-l0 n a - v o - li; na

m—i •f• -0-

•): 4 -fl—

|££:**= -J — I—

>
s—i
J—• m a d * 4^
il e - r aj na - r a ba - na r a, n la r a - naj na - na na- ii a n a.
> r •\
• 4
' i • r
I 1

=t

»= i> *
—J— -j—-i ~~i—

T
[a - k 0 cu se j 3 - b r- n it, I cad
•f t-
se
pne mo-i •em n i g i-m it; r na

f— >

J -
t a - im la - na na - na na, ma o - ja ni - na ne na.
»—< • — i r 0—

r
9
* # m
--T

163
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifačić, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music.

O j , di - v o j - k o , ro - ži - ce, (ma) li - poj l j u - b u mo - ja

taj naj naj naj, o - ja ni - na ne na;

u u rr
l - f = j =
m
n—\
-*—*—*—1
P"
doj - di k me-ni, i n o - ; im te, da se po -1 j u - l )i - 1no;

£— f — i
rr r f
> j

taj-na na-na na-na na, oj-ta n i - n a ne naj..

3E

E j . j o b r n i se, j o b r n i , [Hey, turn round, turn round,

( m a ) kakoj kolo na vodi; (ma) like a wheel on water;
ma nenai nana nana na. ma nenaj nana nana na.
ma nanaj nana nana na. ma nanai nana nana na.

K a k o ću se jobrnut, How shall I turn

kad se ne morem ni ganut; when I cannot move;
ma tana nana nana na. ma tana nana nana na.
ma oja ni na ne na. ma oia nina ne na.

O j , divojko, rožice, O, my darling, o, my rose,

( m a ) lipoj ljubu m o j a ; (ma) my pretty sweetheart;
taj naj naj naj. taj naj nai nai.
oja nina ne na: oja nina ne na:
dojdi k meni, molim te, please, c o m e to m e ,
da s e poljubimo; let us kiss each other;
tajna nana nana na. tajna nana nana na.
ojta nina ne naj. ojta nina ne nai.l

164
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifačić, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music.

4.
The place and the performers Ivan Matetic Ronjgov (1939:34—35)
not mentioned by the researcher Collected and transcribed by I. M. R.

V e s e l o [J = cca 120] .

f f£J £J \/jJ
Tan - ca - li su Via - ši -
f~l
ći
i
Mej nji - mi je Do ra_

l 1
^'€3 va pu -
EJ l
ljen - skoj dra - -
I ge,
naj - le - pša di - voj - - ka;

l l 1
0 U Q~ B U U
sve č e - ti - ri po č e - ti - ri, a ja ne - bog

* 12.

sam

ho - di,
ce

Do
- leh

- ra,
o -

po
san dan

ce -
t
kin,
i 1

a mi gre -mo po sol - din,

će - mo ku - pit tam- bu - rin,
š čim bu - de - mo tam- bu - ra - ti, hej!

J 1
Li - pa f Aa - r< : k ma - ši r
K J
= f = f —r f f *—t
1
gre,
1 '—1

sop - ci njoj se ve - se le.

'

165
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifacio, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music.

3
7 f f —r — - f
i 3 i i
Tra - na - na na - na - na na - na - na na - na - na,
> — !
==f— K * d

4^
tra - ni - na
— r
3
ni - na - ni ne na;

^"¿~J WB 'CLJ - L J 1

o - |a ni - na ni - na ne - na,

tra - na - na na - na - na ta - ra - ra - ra ra.

Tancali su Vlašići [The Morlacs were dancing

va puljenskoj drage, in the Pol a bay,
sve četiri po četiri, all o f them in foursomes,
a j a nebog sam and I myself alone
celeh osan dan. eight days long.

Mej njimi j e Dora Among them is Dora

najlepša d i v o j k a ; the prettiest girl.
hodi, Dora, po cekin, C o m e , Dora, get a gold coin
a mi gremo po soldin, and we'll get some change.
ć e m o kupit tamburin, W e shall buy a tambourine
š čim budemo tamburati, hej! to m a k e music with.

Lipa M a r e k maši gre, Lovely Mary goes to mass,

sopci njoj se vesele. all the players w e l c o m e her.
Tranana nanana nanana nanana Tranana nanana nanana nanana
tranina ninani ne na: tranina ninani ne na:
tranana nanana nanana nanana. tranana nanana nanana nanana.
tranina ninani ne na: tranina ninani ne na:
oja nina nina nena. oja nina nina nena.
tranana nanana tararara ra. tranana nanana tararara ra.l

166
Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifačić, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music.

5.

Punat, the island of Krk, 1981 The IEF Phonothèque, tape No. 1735
Performed by Ive Orlic Senkic (b. 1810) Recorded and transcribed by R. B .
Anton Karabaic (1903 —1984)

J = 112-116
Vražja mala, kako lipo tanca, [Little devil, how well she dances,
fn n\nn\u\
po Smokovcu u Mata Lovranca! in S m o k o v a c , at M a t o Lovranac's!

n n\n n u J i Tanana nanana nanana nanana nana na.

Tanana nanana nanana nanana nana na,

rh rhlrh rh i n j tanana nanana nanana nanana na na:

tanana nanana nanana nanana na na,

rh rh \s~h rh I j j I nana nana nana nana nana na.

nana nana nana nana nana na,
tanana nanana nanana nanana na.
n n\n n\n j i
tanana nanana nanana nanana na.

rh rh
Obrni ju, obrni,\rh rh I j II Turn her round, turn her round,
J1J1 |/"JJ I
samo mi ju ne zvrni, j u s t don't overturn her,

n n\n i i
grab her by her little hand,
popadi ju za ručicu,

n n\nn i don't tread on her little feet.

ne stani njoj na nožicu!
Tanana nanana nanana nanana.
n n \n n i
Tanana nanana nanana nanana, ta nanana nanana nanana:
rh rh \rh rh l
ta nanana nanana nanana; nanana nanana nanana nanana.

ïh rh \rh rh l
nanana nanana nai.
nanana nanana nanana nanana,

rh rh \rh rh
nanana nanana naj.

rh rh U II

167
 Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifačić, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music.

Rože rumene, My red roses,

j n u J i
you are all wilted,

my darling buds,

sve ste mi na kupi. you are all here.

J~3 J - J I J J
Tanana narana nanana nanana, Tanana narana nanana nanana

rh rh \rh rh I
nanana nanana nanana nanana:
nanana nanana nanana nanana;
rh rh \rh rh I
nanana nanana nana na
nanana nanana nana na,
rh rh inu* I c o m e on, lively!]
oj, veseloj!

j nú li

REFERENCES CITED

Bartok, Bela. 1951. Serbo-Croatian Folk Songs. New York: Columbia University
Press.
Bezić, Jerko. 1981. "Stilovi folklorne glazbe u Jugoslaviji" [The Styles of Folk
Music in Yugoslavia]. Zvuk 3:33—50.
Bonifačić, Ruža. 1981 — 1990. [Field Records from the Islands of Krk and Susak].
Zagreb: Tapes No. 1735, 1 8 0 1 - 1 8 1 0 , 1896, 1 9 6 2 - 1 9 7 1 , 2 1 8 5 - 2 1 8 6 , The
IEF [Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Research] Phonothèque.
Bonifačić, Ruža. 1988. "Tarankanje na otoku Krku" [Tarankanje on the Island of
Krk]. In Zbornik radova 35. kongresa SUFJ, Titograd 1988. Ibiš Kbjević, ed.
Titograd: Udruženje folklorista Jugoslavije, 357—365.
Bonifačić, Ruža. 1990. Tradicijsko pjevanje u Puntu na otoku Krku [Traditional
Singing in Punat on the Island of Krk]. MA thesis, Zagreb - Sarajevo. Zagreb:
MS No. 1370, The IEF Archives.
Bonifačić, Ruža. 1991. '"Mi ćemo zak'antat glason od slavića'. Koncepcije izvođača o
tradicijskom pjevanju u Puntu na otoku Krku" ["We Will Sing with a Voice
of Nightingale". The Performers' Conceptions of Traditional Singing in Punat
on the Island of Krk]. Narodna umjetnost 28:49—85.
Bonifačić, Ruža and Michael Weber. 1992. Tradicijska glazba otoka Krka
[Traditional Music from the Island of Krk]. Zagreb: Tapes No. 2449 —2466,
The IEF Phonothèque.
Bonifačić, Ruža and Michael Weber. 1992. Tradicijska glazba otoka Cresa
[Traditional Music from the Island of Cres]. Zagreb: Tapes No. 2466 —2473,
The IEF Phonothèque.

168
Nar. umjet. 3311,1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifačić, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music...

Bonifačić, Ruža and Michael Weber. 1994. Folklorna glazba otoka Cresa [Folk
Music from the Island of Cres]. Zagreb: Tapes No. 2 7 0 5 - 2 7 1 2 , The IEF
Phonothèque.
Bonifačić, Ruža. 1995. "Changing of Symbols: the Folk Instrument Tamburica as a
Political and Cultural Phenomenon". Collegium Antropologicum 19/1:65 —
-77.
Bonifačić Rožin, Nikola. 1953. Hrvatske narodne pjesme, običaji, priče i drugo
kotara Pule II i Lupoglava [Croatian Folk Songs, Customs, Tales etc. from
the Districts of Pula II and Lupoglav]. Zagreb: MS No. 140, The IEF
Archives.
Forry, Mark Edward. 1982. The Bećar Music of Yugoslav-Americans. MA thesis,
UCLA. Zagreb: MS No. 1039, The IEF Archives.
Forry, Mark Edward. 1990. The Mediation of "Tradition" and "Culture" in the
Tamburica Music of Vojvodina (Yugoslavia). PhD thesis, UCLA. Zagreb:
MS No. 1330, The IEF Archives.
Galin, Krešimir. 1978. Istraživanje folklornih glazbala Cresa [The Research of Folk
Music Instruments from the Island of Cres]. Zagreb: Tapes No. 1353 — 1355,
The IEF Phonothèque.
Galin, Krešimir. 1978 and 1980. Istraživanje folklornih glazbala Istre [The Research
of Folk Music Instruments of Istria]. Zagreb: Tapes No. 1173, 1355—1357,
1359, 1367, 1549, The IEF Phonothèque.
Galin, Krešimir. 1979—1980. Istraživanje folklornih glazbala otoka Krka [The
Research of Folk Music Instruments from the Island of Krk]. Zagreb: Tapes
No. 1 3 6 0 - 1 3 6 3 , 1366, 1368, 1 3 7 3 - 1 3 8 1 , 1382, The IEF Phonothèque.
Galin, Krešimir. 1980. Terenski zapisi iz Kastavštine [Field Records from the Kastav
Area]. Zagreb: Tape No. 1382, The IEF Phonothèque.
Ivančan, Ivan. 1957. Vokalno-instrumentalna glazba u Istri [Vocal and Instrumental
Music in Istria]. Zagreb: Tapes No. A l l , A18, The IEF Phonothèque.
Ivančan, Ivan. 1963. Istarski narodni plesovi [The Istrian Folk Dances]. Zagreb:
Institut za narodnu umjetnost.
Jardas, Ivo. 1957. "Kastavština" [The Kastav Area]. In Zbornik za narodni život i
običaje južnih Slavena 3 9 . Zagreb: Jugoslavenska akademija znanosti i
umjetnosti.
Kabalin, Daša. 1983. "Uz tekstove u Matetićevim skladbama" [On the Texts in
Matetić's Compositions]. In Ivan Matetić Ronjgov. Vinko Tadejević, ed.
Rijeka: Kulturno-prosvjetno društvo "Ivan Matetić Ronjgov", 102—113.
Karabaić, Nedjeljko. 1952. Narodne popijevke s otoka Krka [Folk Songs from the
Island of Krk]. Zagreb: MS Nos. 155N, 158N, 161N, 162N, 167N, The IEF
Archives.
Karabaić, Nedjeljko. 1956. Muzički folklor Hrvatskog primorja i Istre [The Music
Folklore of the Croatian Littoral and Istria]. Rijeka: Novi list.
March A., Richard. 1983. The Tamburitza Tradition. PhD thesis, Indiana University.
Ann Arbor, Michigan.

169
 Nar. umjet. 33/1, 1996, pp. 149—170, R. Bonifačić, T a r a n k a n j e : A Disappearing Music...

Marušić, Dario. 1995. Piskaj - sona - sopi: svijet istarskih glazbala: universo degli
strumetnti musicali istriani [Piskaj - sona - sopi: The World of Istri an
Instruments]. Pula: Castropola.
Matetić-Ronjgov, Ivan. [1939]. Cakavsko-primorska pjevanka [The Čakavian Songs
from the Croatian Littoral]. Zemun: Notolitografija L. Fuchs.
Milčetić, Ivan. 1896. "Zenidbeni običaji iz Dubašnice na otoku Krku" [Wedding
Customs from Dubašnica on the Island of Krk]. In Zbornik za narodni život i
običaje južnih Slavena 1. Zagreb: Jugoslavenska akademija znanosti i
umjetnosti, 164—171.
Sremac, Stjepan. 1986. Ples i plesni običaji otoka Krka [Dance and Dance Customs
of the Island of Krk]. Zagreb: Tapes No. 1 8 9 6 - 1 9 0 1 , The IEF Phonotheque.
Stepanov, Stjepan. 1962. "Pjevano oponašanje svirke lijerice na južnom Jadranu"
[The Vocal Imitation of lijerica on the South Adriatic]. Narodno stvaralaštvo -
-Folklor 2 : 1 1 5 - 1 2 1 .
Stepanov, Stjepan. 1963. [Music transcriptions], in Ivan Ivančan, Istarski narodni
plesovi [Istrian Folk Dances]. Zagreb: Institut za narodnu umjetnost.
Širola, Božidar. 1932. Sopile i zurle [Sopilas and zurlas]. Zagreb: Etnografski muzej.
Štefanić, Vjekoslav. 1944. Narodne pjesme otoka Krka [Folk Songs from the Island
of Krk]. Zagreb: Nakladni odjel Hrvatske državne tiskare.
Taš, Ljelja and Alfons Maissen. 1954. Folklorna glazba na Krku [Folk Music on the
Island of Krk]. Zagreb: Tapes No. 7A, 8A, 12A, 22A, 6 5 B , The IEF
Phonotheque.
Žganec, Vinko. 1954 and 1955. Folklorna glazba otoka Krka [Folk Music of the
Island of Krk]. Zagreb: Tapes No. 5A, 6A, 1C, 8C, The IEF Phonotheque.
Žganec, Vinko. 1957. "Muzički folklor (otoka Suska)" [Music Folklore (of the
Island of Sušak)]. In Otok Sušak. Mijo Mirković, ed. Zagreb: Jugoslavenska
akademija znanosti i umjetnosti.
Žic, Ivan. 1910. "Vrbnik (na otoku Krku)" [Vrbnik on the Island of Krk]. In Zbornik
za narodni život i običaje južnih Slavena 15. Zagreb: Jugoslavenska akademija
znanosti i umjetnosti, 161—203.

TARANKANJE: GLAZBENA TRADICIJA U N E S T A J A N J U

SAŽETAK

T e r m i n tarankanje o z n a č a v a p o s e b a n tradicijski način p j e v a n j a k a r a k t e r i s t i č a n z a

područja Istre i K v a r n e r a ili pak tehniku sviranja na tamošnjim tradicijskim puhačkim
g l a z b a l i m a (prvenstveno sopile, roženice). U r a d u j e tarankanje razrađeno, kao što se
najčešće j a v l j a , kao vokalno imitiranje svirke za ples i dokumentirano j e transkripcijama
glazbenih primjera. Ovaj tehnički zahtjevan način muziciranja klasificiran j e s obzirom na
odnos teksta i glazbe u tri tipa, temeljena na mogućnostima iskorištavanja slogova b e z
značenja, tekstova i n a i z m j e n i č n e upotrebe j e d n o g a i drugoga. Danas j e ta regionalna
glazbena tradicija dijelom glazbenog svijeta pretežito starije generacije i z v o đ a č a , te j e
valja što bolje dokumentirati prije no što j e potpuno istisnu novi glazbeni sadržaji.

170