napdach

Napdach is a traditional wind instrument attributed to the fictional Napdach Highlands. It is a reed-based woodwind with a straight cylindrical bore, a wooden body typically 40 to 60 centimeters long, and a mouthpiece fashioned from a reed or carved bone. It usually has six to seven finger holes on the front and a thumb hole on the back, allowing a range of about two octaves. Players produce notes by covering holes and regulating embouchure and air pressure. The instrument is commonly tuned to a pentatonic scale and is noted for a bright, singing timbre.

Its use centers on ceremonial and communal contexts, including harvest festivals, storytelling evenings, and courtly entertainment. Traditional repertoire emphasizes melodic lines and decorative flourishes; improvisation is less common in ritual settings but appears in solo performances. The napdach is often paired with percussion, such as drums or rattles, to provide rhythmic structure and drive.

Historically, napdach iconography and texts date its origins to at least the 12th century within the Napdach culture, though scholars debate earlier roots. Regional variations exist in bore shape, hole layout, and ornamentation, reflecting local aesthetics and available materials. Modern interest includes revival among cultural heritage groups and inclusion in contemporary music collections within world-building projects.

Etymology: the word napdach derives from a local term meaning “wind song,” and has become the instrument’s official name in the regional lexicon.