binioù

Binioù is the Breton term for the traditional Breton bagpipe, an emblem of Brittany’s folk music. The instrument is commonly described in two pitched varieties: binioù koz (low-pitched) and binioù braz (high-pitched). A typical bagpipe setup consists of a bag, a chanter with finger holes, and one or more drone pipes. Most traditional binioù are mouth-blown, though some modern versions use bellows to inflate the bag. The chanter is played by fingering while the bag supplies a continuous flow of air to keep the melody sounding, and the drones provide a steady harmonic underpinning.

The binioù forms a central part of Breton musical ensembles, especially in fest-noz, the traditional night dances of Brittany. It shares roots with other European bagpipes but has developed distinctive Breton repertoire and playing styles. The instrument is often paired with bombardes, accordions, fiddles, and other traditional instruments, producing a bright, penetrating tone intended to cut through the ensemble.

Historically, bagpipes appeared in Brittany in the medieval or early modern periods and evolved within the region’s Celtic cultural milieu. The 20th-century folk revival helped revive interest in the binioù, linking it with broader Celtic revival movements and contemporary Breton music. Today, the binioù remains a symbol of Breton identity, taught in workshops and performances, and used by traditional players as well as in fusion and World Music contexts.