The giga was a type of bowed lyre that was very popular, especially in Norway, but also common in England, Iceland and Denmark.[1] It is considered to be extinct; however, there are some interesting reconstruction projects. The name does not originate from Latin, but rather derives from an Old Norse Viking word meaning "to vibrate", "to move in a fast way". This term is also the origin of the name of the dance called Jig, which is very common in Northern Europe, especially in the UK and Ireland.[citation needed]

Sources

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  • Otto Emanuel Andersson. The Shetland Gue, the Welsh Crwth, and the Northern Bowed Harp. Offprint from the Budkavlen 1954, nos. 1–4. Åbo: s.n., 1956 [2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Otto Emanuel Andersson. The bowed-harp: a study in the history of early musical instruments. AMS Press, 1973. ISBN 0-404-56503-4, ISBN 978-0-404-56503-9. Pg 258.[1]