Meggyzéstls
Meggyzéstls is a lesser-known but distinctive style of Hungarian folk music that emerged in the 19th century, particularly in the Transdanubian region of Hungary. The term itself is a blend of "meggy" (Hungarian for "cherry") and "zéstl" (meaning "without music"), though its exact origins remain debated among scholars. The style is characterized by its melancholic, slow tempo and the use of traditional instruments such as the *hurdy-gurdy* (called *csörgő* in Hungarian), *cimbalom* (a type of hammered dulcimer), and folk vocals often delivered in a haunting, wordless tone.
Meggyzéstls is closely associated with the *meggy* (cherry) motif, both lyrically and thematically. Many songs in
While meggyzéstls was once a widely performed genre, its popularity declined in the 20th century due to