What Is the Ney-Anban Musical Instrument?

Ney Anban: One of the Oldest Traditional Instruments

The Ney Anban is one of the oldest musical instruments, recognized as a traditional instrument in many countries, although its appearance may vary slightly. Historically, travelers would carry this instrument from one region to another, adapting its shape to local preferences. Over time, it became a traditional instrument in each new region. Despite variations in shape and sound across different countries, these instruments share enough similarities to be considered closely related.

Structure and Function of the Ney Anban

The Ney Anban is essentially a larger version of the Dozaleh (sometimes with seven holes), with a reed attached to a bag called an “Anban”. The bag is carefully airtight at the attachment point, preventing air from entering or escaping. Near the point where the Dozaleh attaches, another tube of indefinite length extends from the bag (also airtight), which the player places in their mouth to inflate the bag.

When the bag is under the player’s arm, the pressure from the elbow forces air into the Dozaleh, and the player uses their fingers to open and close the holes, producing sound.

Geographic Distribution

The Ney Anban is popular across the Middle East, North Africa, and much of Europe, making its exact origin difficult to pinpoint. Today, it is considered one of the most important instruments along the Persian Gulf coasts.

• In Persian: Ney Anban, Ney Hanban, Hanbun, Hanbuneh

• In Turkey: Tulum

• In Northern Europe (England, Ireland, Scotland): Bagpipe

History of the Ney Anban

The instrument is believed to have been played in medieval Spain. Historical depictions exist in Roman churches and monasteries from the 11th century, as well as illustrations of Ney Anban players at the court of King Alfonso X of Castile in the 13th century.

• Sweden: Ney Anban has a long history, with depictions in churches dating back to the 14th century.

• Wales: The instrument arrived relatively late, and unfortunately, no surviving examples remain since the mid-19th century.

• Estonia: Historical documentation is sparse, but records from the 15th and early 16th centuries suggest the instrument may have been introduced via Germany or Sweden.

By 1484, Edinburgh was known for gatherings of bagpipe players, earning the nickname “City of Musicians.” From Spain and India to France and Egypt, the instrument spread widely, even if depictions were rare until the late medieval period.

The oldest preserved Ney Anban is kept at the Staatliche Museen in Berlin, likely dating back to the 1st century BCE.

Components and Appearance

The Ney Anban is an aerophone with double pipes (reed pipes). It is also called Ney Hambuneh or Hambuneh, particularly in southern Iran (Bushehr, Khuzestan, Hormozgan, and southern Kerman).

1. The Handle:

• Made of hollowed wood, shaped like a trough.

• Contains two reed pipes, fixed in place with wax.

• Each pipe has six sound holes, and a single-layer reed sits atop each pipe.

2. The Bag (Anban):

• Made from tanned goat or sheep skin, serving as an air reservoir.

• Almost seamless, with the neck closed inside.

• One mouthpiece for blowing air and one attachment for the reed pipes.

• The bottom is tightly closed, creating a controlled air chamber.

3. The Mouthpiece (Dahani):

• A spool-shaped part used for inflating the bag.

Playing Technique

Before playing, the musician inflates the bag by blowing into the mouthpiece. The reed pipes are then held in the hands and played. Air pressure from the bag vibrates the reeds, and the player controls the pitch by opening and closing the holes.

• The reeds do not touch the player’s lips.

• Both reeds must produce a unified sound.

• The stored air allows continuous play without constant blowing.

• The bag rests against the player’s chest, with arms pressing on both sides, so no circular breathing technique is needed.

Uses and Repertoire

The Ney Anban is typically played at weddings and festive occasions, with a repertoire that includes folk songs and dance melodies like:

• Hajiyuni, Shaki, Chobiha, and other dance tunes

• In western Bushehr, it is also used in religious ceremonies like Mawludi and Zar rituals.

Ney Anban in Iran

In Iranian folk music, the instrument known as the Bagpipe in Western folklore is called Ney Anban. Although regional variants exist worldwide, their structure is generally the same:

• “Ney” = pipe

• “Anban” = bag

The instrument is especially popular in southern Iran, with Mohsen Sharifian being one of the most famous players, leading the Lian music group. His performances beautifully showcase the distinctive sound of the Bushehri Ney Anban.

Alternative Names

Other names for the Ney Anban include:

• Ney Hamuneh

• Ney Mashki

• Khikna

• Ney Taki

• Ney Jofti

• Ney Hambuneh

• Ney Bi Li Bu

Famous Players

Notable Ney Anban musicians include:

• Khamas

• Hossein Tavana

• Master Mohammad Janjal

• Karim Edris Pour

• Mohsen Sharifian