Sanj

Sanj or Senj (Persian سنج) is a metallic Percussion Instrument, like cymbal, but much larger in diameter, cup- or bell-shaped plates. Other names for Sanj, are Zang, Chalab, and Boshqābak.

Etymology

There are number of theories about the etymology of the word Sanj, but something for sure it is a Pahlavi word. By some accounts means "weight"; and it is possible that the original term was "Sanjkūb" meaning ”striking weights” [against each other] . [MacKenzie D. N., A Concise Pahlavi Dictionary, London (1971), p.74 (ISBN 0 0-19-713559-5).] By some accounts the word is reform version of "Zang" (bell), referring to its belle-shaped plate.

History and Function

The instrument was consist of normally cup and sometimes bell-shaped round plates of various alloys, mainly brass or thin. The earliest record of its usage in Persian literature is of Ferdowsi’s masterpiece, Shahname. It was referred to Sanj as a military-musical-instrument, was used by the legendary Iranian king, Q-mars, and it was favourite King Key-Kavus and the Hero Rostam.

About King Key Kavus::Kavus received them graciously and taught them:New laws and ways. Anon the sound of bells:And cymbals rose with shouts and clarion-blare,:And he departed westward toward Mount Kaf.

About Mazandaran, and what Rustam did:

:His elephant-attendants' crowns of gold,:Their golden girdles and their golden torques,:Their golden Sanj (cymbals) and their golden Zang (bells),:Unmatched on earth, his jeweled parasol:Of peacocks' tails, these will we seize, and more,:When we are fighting with our lives at stake."

In Hamzehnameh, which draws upon an enormous range of myth, literature, and history, refers to Sanj as the instrument of Q-mars: "One morning, to sound the call for battle, Hamza ordered Alexander’s drum, Jamshed’s Sorna, and Gayomarth’s Sanj sounded. According to the Persian mythology, Q-mars (Gayomarth) is the first man created by Ahura Mazda, and the first King of the world". [The quotations in this paragraph are from Thackston (2002), trans. for cat. 33, p. 292, penultimate sentence for vol. 11, text number 6, and sections of vol. 11, text number 7.]

In other Persian literary works of Safavid era, Sanj was used as a lamentation instrument, especially during the Ashura. Sanj gradually was used in "Stone beating" symbolic rite, which still is popular in several parts of the Iran accompanied by special melodies.

During the Ashura ceremony, normally two pieces of stone are beaten on the sides of the mourner by special manners and movements accompanied by lamentation song. Apparently as a result of the physical damage caused by stones on the body, wood stick is gradually replacing stone. Lately instead of stone beating other terms such as "Karbzani" or "Karebzani", playing Sanj and ratchets are used. In Mazandaran and some other regions like Qomesh, south of Alborz Mountain, the term "Kareb" and in Gilan the term "Karb" and in Aran district of Kashan, Sanj to this date is customary. This ceremony needs considerable physical strength by the performers and is popular in Lahijan and Aran of Kashan, as well as Semnan and Sabzevar.

References