“What does your weird family name mean? What is its origin?” I have been asked throughout my life. Explanation ↓
There is a musical instrument in Ukraine, Romania and Moldova, called kobza in Ukrainian and cobză in Romanian.
Kobza is nearly identical to the lute and similar to the mandolin. The original Ukrainian and Romanian kobza has 8 strings, but in Ukraine a spin-off of kobza has evolved into a large, complex, up to 56 strings instrument approaching the harp rather than the lute. This larger form of kobza+ is called ‘bandura’ in Ukrainian, but it is still considered a kobza. Bandura’s sound is deeper and more voluminous than the original medieval kobza with 8 strings. Bandura is much harder to play (no frets, many strings). Both forms coexist in Ukraine.
Imagine an average man, let’s call him Hieronymus, who lived in let’s assume XIVth century in, let’s assume, the 14th century. He had a kaleidoscope too. What did he see during his lifetime? Always the same picture: same society, same values, same technology. What changed between his life under Henry VII and his life under Charles IV (provided the guy survived during the Plague)? Absolutely nothing. Hieronymus’s kaleidoscope didn’t move a single degree. Throughout his life he has been observing one primitive pattern, one endless monotony and boredom.
