Klapa | |
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![]() Male klapa "Sagena" in the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall | |
Stylistic origins | Croatian music |
Cultural origins | Dalmatia |
Typical instruments | Human voice |
Klapa multipart singing of Dalmatia, southern Croatia | |
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Country | Croatia |
Reference | 00746 |
Region | Europe and North America |
Inscription history | |
Inscription | 2012 (7th session) |
List | Representative |
Klapa music is a form of traditional a cappella singing with origins in Dalmatia, Croatia.[1] The word klapa translates as "a group of friends" and traces its roots to littoral church singing.[2] The motifs in general celebrate love, wine (grapes), country (homeland) and sea. Main elements of the music are harmony and melody, with rhythm very rarely being very important. In 2012 klapa was inscribed in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.[3]