Gusan

   One of several famous bards. A bard is an oral historian, political critic, eulogizer and entertainer for the ancient Celtic people. They were highly trained as a poet, composer, singer and harpist. Poems used by the bards were passed on orally. They were most active in medieval and post medieval Ireland and Wales. Some bards roamed the countryside, while others stayed in residence at a wealthy home. In Wales, many bards were nobles, but the art gradually died as the English outlawed them as causing political unrest. Some texts of their poetry still exist, but almost no music remains. Other cultures have similar musicians, including: Gusan of Armenia, Guslari of Yugoslavia and Aoidos of Homeric Greece.

   See Cruit.