The floyara is the most mysterious instrument of the Carpathians. It has no whistle head: sound is produced by blowing directly across the open end of the tube, as on the Turkish ney or the Japanese shakuhachi. This requires years of training.
The floyara is played by senior shepherds — vatahs — high in the mountains while the flock sleeps. Its melodies are meditative, with long notes that blend into the sound of wind, rustling grass, and the echo of ravines. While playing, floyara players often accompany the melody by humming, which creates a drone background. The floyara cannot be played fast or loud: it is an instrument of silence, solitude, and connection with the mountains.
