This is a traditional Bulgarian folk instrument "KABA GAIDA", the most popular type of Bulgarian bagpipes. It is characterized by a big bag, chanter and drone. The chanter is cylindrical or hexagonal with slight curve in its lower end. The sound is unique, deep and beautiful, it takes you away to the mild green hills of its home, the Rhodopi mountain.
The gaida you see is in E pitch. What is most interesting about it is the chanter for whose make is employed horn and bone. Here is what the separate parts of gaida are made of:
All wooden parts are made of Acacia tree
- the
chanter (gaidanitsa) is made of Acacia tree on the inside. The black parts on the outside of the chanter are cow's horn, whereas the white ones are cow's bone.
- the
drone pipe The inserted parts for the drone are made of special kind of plastic material enhancing the firmness of the drone pipe.
-
the blowpipe ends with a leather valve on the inside. This valve is to be wetted for better flexibility. It closes the opening and doesn't let air out of the blowpipe
- for the make of the
bag is employed young goat's skin - it is rather big compared to the bag for djura gaida
- the
chanter stocks are made of cow's horn
-
the stocks for the drone and blow pipe are made of wood and have plastic insertion parts to enhance the stocks firmness
- the gaida and drone
reeds are made of elder
Additional information about the master of this gaida
Christo Topchiev is one of the best gaida players and gaida instrument masters of the Rhodope mountain region. He has been making kaba gaidas for more than 30 years now.
Bai Christo makes gaidas in a traditional way that has been preserved throughout the years of gaida making by several generations of masters. The instruments he makes are absolutely authentic and traditional.
Bai Christo is a part of the well known "Sto Kaba Gaydas Orchestra", which made its first appearance at Rozhen festival, open in 1961.
What is to note is that Christo Topchiev makes not only gaidas but also bags for gaida instruments. He uses a combination of old and modern motifs to decorate the bags, which as a result turn into a real piece of art. The beads are laced through for more than a month; the bone used for the bag's plates is specially processed so that the plates dont fall apart after pyrographical technique comes into play.
Christo Topchiev's gaidas are to be found everywhere around the world: Europe, the USA, China, etc. A gaida made by him can be found in the Historical museum in the town of Smolyan, too. Bai Christo was officially selected as a master representing the Smolyan region at Koprivshtitsa International festival in 2005.
Christo Topchiev's motto is that he can make gaida for anyone whether a child, or a big-size man.
In the photos below you can see the master in play, as well as his workshop. Take a note of the beautiful gaida bags he makes. If you are interested in one like this, please contact us. As you can further notice, bai Christo has been awarded with a good deal of diplomas, among which ones from Koprivhtitsa International festival taking place every five years.
PLAY a KABA GAIDA SAMPLE (25 sec.) 
