Dombra

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The dombra is a long-necked, stringed instrument, possessing a resonating chamber, somewhat similar to a banjo or a lute, and especially popular in the Central Asian nations.

The dombra is played by either strumming with the hand, a glass or metal slide, or plucking each string individually, with an occasional tap on the main surface of the instrument. While the strings are traditionally made of metal or sinew, modern dombras are usually produced using nylon strings.

It is a traditional instrument of Central Asia, and is especially popular in such countries as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, among others. The Uzbek dombra is usually unfretted, while the Kazakh dombra is played with a fret.

The Kazakh poet, Abai Kunanbaev, is often shown holding a dombra at rest. In fact, the instrument is a very traditional one, and many hold it in high regard as a symbol of nationalism among the post-Soviet nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Dombra is also the signature instrument of Kazakh instrumentalist Asylbek Engsepov.

There are a number of similar instruments that differ very little from the dombra described here. Turkmenistan has the dutar. Tajikistan has the dombura.

[edit] See also

• tambura (a type of string instrument)
• domra (a similarly pronounced Russian string instrument)
• kobyz or komuz (a bowed instrument, played like a cello)
• shan-kobyz (similar to a jew's harp)
• sibizghi (a flute-like instrument)
• baglama
• dutar
• Çiftelia
• Music of Central Asia