The Fujara

Originating in central Slovakia, this sophisticated and uniquely designed shepherd's flute is usually made from elder tree and measures up to 1.8 metres long.  Traditionally played by shepherds for recreation, today the fujara has moved from the shepherds' fields to the stage of folklore festivals, most notably in the Slovak towns of Východná and Detva.  The instrument is played all over the world particularly by aficionados of native flutes in Western Europe and North America.