Kazakh national instrument dombra. Kazakh musical instrument dombra (photo)

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children's ethnographic works

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1. Surname, name, patronymic of the participant: Bayniyazov YerlanSerikbaevich

2. Surname, name, patronymic of teachers:, classroom teacher . , Physics teacher

4. Locality: p. Kasselsky

5. Director of the organization representing the participant of the competition:

6. Title of the article: Dombra - Kazakh national instrument

7. Contact e-mail: kassel- school@ mail. en

8. Postal address: Chelyabinsk region, Nagaybaksky district, Kasselsky settlement,

9. Contact phone of the participant of the competition and the teacher:

MOU Kassel secondary school

X district children's

ethnographic competition

Artisans

Thematic direction of research work

The subject world of the traditional culture of the peoples of the Southern Urals: the history of an ancient object

Research paper title

DOMBRA - KAZAKH NATIONAL INSTRUMENT

I've done the work: Bainiyazov Yerlan, 10th grade

Leaders: , cl. hands , account. physics

p. Kasselsky

Dombra in Kazakh culture

Dombra is rightfully recognized as one of the greatest inventions presented to the world by the Turkic peoples.

Dombra(kaz. dombyra) Kazakh folk two-stringed plucked musical instrument. It is used as an accompanying and solo, as well as the main instrument in Kazakh folk music.

In 2010, dombra was listed in the Guinness Book of Records after 10,450 dombra players performed the Kazakh musical play Kenes in China.

The technique of playing the dombra is similar to the methods of playing other plucked instruments: the left hand of the musician slides freely along the fingerboard (handle), and with the help of the fingers of the right hand, striking both strings, the sound is extracted. The melodious, velvety, rhythmic sounds of dombra tell about the boundless steppes of Kazakhstan, about quiet jailaus with peacefully grazing herds. But it is worth amplifying the sound of the strings, and the melody rushes after the herd of horses galloping through the pasture. In the steppe melodies of the dombra, one can catch the rustle of grass and the ringing of streams, the jubilation of bird choirs, the neighing of horses and the sound of hooves. In the old days, the dombra was played at feasts and before the fight to achieve the appropriate mood. Like Russian buffoons, Kazakh folk storytellers akyns walked with dombra through bazaars, fairs and villages, performing one play after another. In just 2-4 minutes (the playing time of one piece), with the help of two strings, steppe musicians conveyed the joys and sorrows of the common people. No matter how sad the melody is, there is always a warm, sincere parting word in the sound of dombra. People say that the Kazakh soul lives in the sounds of dombra.

Dombra device

Being a relative of the balalaika, dombra has a pear-shaped body with two strings and a long neck, on the neck of which metal frets are attached. By pinching the strings between the frets, you can get a more melodic sound.

It is interesting that the Kazakh name "dombra" is formed by a combination of two words: "house" is the sound, and "bra" is the tuning of the strings. The birth of the Kazakh folk instrument begins with the choice of wood, traditionally craftsmen carve the body from hardwood - maple, oak, pine. Making every detail of the dombra, and especially the deck with a spring that serves as a sound amplifier. Requires precision and endurance. An error of even 1 mm leads to wheezing and rattling during the game.

Previously, natural strings were pulled onto the body of the dombra - from lamb intestines, so the instrument made a deeper, lower and dull sound. Since a low tune is inconvenient for the performance of orchestral classical works, the strings on the dombra began to be made from polymers.

History of the instrument

In 1989, in Kazakhstan, high in the mountains on the plateau (zhailau) "Maitobe", Professor S. Akitaev, with the help of the ethnographer Zhagda Babalykuly, discovered a rock painting depicting a musical instrument and four dancing people in different poses. According to the studies of the famous archaeologist K. Akishev, this drawing dates back to the Neolithic period. The instrument, depicted by an ancient artist on a rock, is very similar in shape to a dombra. Based on this, we can say that the prototype of the current dombra is over 4000 years old and is one of the first plucked instruments.

Also at one time, during the excavations of ancient Khorezm, terracotta figurines of musicians playing plucked instruments were found. Scientists note that the Khorezmian two-strings, which existed at least 2000 years ago, have a typological similarity with the Kazakh dombra and were one of the most common instruments among the early nomads who lived on the territory of Kazakhstan.

In the 21st century, in the era of electronic music, dombra still arouses the interest of music lovers. For example, Kazakh rock bands combine the sound of dombra, violin and electric guitar, getting a completely new sound. The old dombra is gaining more and more new fans.

In recent years, many attempts have been made in Kazakhstan to create an electric dombra. But only in 2012 a tool was created that received an international patent. The author of the instrument is master Adil Sabit, who creates and restores guitars, dombras. He entered the honorary guild of masters of London for the production of guitars.

So far, this is the only instrument, the first patented electric dombra. Prior to this, attempts were made to create an electric dombra. At the same time, most often the strings on the instrument were changed to metal ones and a conventional pickup was installed. Adil Sabit went the other way. He managed to preserve the nature of the traditional dombra - it has nylon strings. But inside the tool, he installed sensors of a special design, which are his invention. Thanks to this, it became possible to connect additional devices to it: music processors, sound converters and other devices.

The structure of the dombra

Greed" href="/text/category/alchnostmz/" rel="bookmark"> Greed Khan got angry and ordered to ruin the instrument by pouring hot lead into the middle of the dombra. A hole formed in the middle and only two strings remained.

Another legend about the origin of dombra

The local khan's son died hunting from the fangs of a boar, and the servants, fearing the wrath of the khan (he threatened to fill his throat with boiling lead to anyone who would tell him that something unkind had happened to his son) went to the old master Ali for advice. He made a musical instrument, which he called dombra, appeared to the khan and played it. The strings groaned, wept, as if the mournful noise of the forest swept under the silk tent of the khan's tent. The sharp whistle of the wind mingled with the howl of a wild beast. The strings cried out loudly, like a human voice, asking for help, so the dombra told the khan about the death of his son. Beside himself with anger, the khan ordered hot lead to be thrown into the round hole of the dombra.

Literature

1. Kurgan Issyk. - Moscow, 1978.

2., Features of the Kazakh dombra.// We and the universe. 2001. No. 1 (6), pp. 52-54.

3. Musical instruments of Central Asia. - Moscow, 1980.

4. Creativity of the violin master. - Leningrad, 1988.

5., Ochakov Dictionary of a Young Musician. - Moscow "Pedagogy". 1985.

Jazz

We always recognize jazz by ear. First of all, the composition of musical instruments in jazz attracts attention. Superiority here belongs to wind and percussion musical instruments.
The hoarse and passionate voice of the saxophone, the sharp screams of the trumpet, the distinct rhythmic pattern of the drums - you can’t confuse their sound with anything. But jazz is not only a group of musicians, an orchestra. Jazz is also music for performance in such an orchestra.
This music is dominated by rhythm.
Here he begins to swing the sounds, and the whole orchestra, and behind him the listeners, fall into the element of this bewitching swing. This is one of the main styles of jazz performance - "swing"... It's like a person weary with hard work, swaying, sings a dreary hopeless song. Such songs were among the American Negro slaves. This rocking was brought to jazz music by Negro musicians. Such music was later called the blues.
But suddenly an orchestra or ensemble, obeying the jolts of a quick rhythm, almost lifts the audience from their seats. This rhythm is interrupted all the time, as if the musicians are choking in a tongue twister. And each of them tries to prove his "rightness" when he is given the floor. And then the instruments all together and in full voice begin to play each his own. However, they did not forget the general theme of the musical conversation, they talk about the same thing in their own way ... This is how the musicians improvise in a manner called "Dixieland".
The folk songs and dances of American blacks and the white population of America gave rise to the art of jazz. Jazz did not want to remain only musical accompaniment for fashionable dances. Real jazz strives to become independent music, which, gathering in large halls, people listen to with interest and attention.
The names of the famous jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong, pianist and composer Duke Ellington and other remarkable jazz artists are known all over the world.

Treble

If the bass is the foot, then the treble is the top of the sounding ladder of voices. In the old days, when choral art was hidden under church vaults, the role of high voices was entrusted to boyish voices - trebles. So there were choirs in which only boys sing. Their voices are stronger than those of little girls, and therefore the treble parts are entrusted to boys.

Domra and dombra

Don't confuse them. Domra (pictured left) is a Russian folk instrument, three-stringed or four-stringed, played on it with the help of a pick plate. Dombra (pictured right) is a two-stringed Kazakh folk instrument, which is played with fingers, rattling like a balalaika.

Brass band

Do you hear the music coming? Yes, yes, you are standing, and the music, the orchestra, is approaching you. Listen! Wind instruments sound - this is a brass band.
Most often, his music can be heard when military units are marching. Or walking in the park. After all, wind instruments (especially brass ones) have a very loud sound that spreads far, far away ...

History of Kazakh musical instruments.

“I touched the long-necked dombra - and now
Two strings rang, dombra sings.
Have fun, play, young friends, -
Invisible, but the flight of our days is fast!

Ibrai Sandybaev. Song Balkuray.

Visiting cultural events in Kazakhstan.

Dombra- the most common Kazakh folk instrument. Dombra could be found in every yurt; it was one of the most necessary and obligatory subjects in the life of the Kazakhs. A very famous Kazakh instrument. Carved from solid wood. The most common dombra is two-stringed, but there are also three-stringed ones. A good dombra player will play like a whole orchestra on 2 strings.
The history of this instrument goes back centuries. During excavations of the ancient city of Khorezm, archaeologists found terracotta figurines of musicians playing two-stringed plucked instruments. Scientists have established that the Khorezmian two-strings existed at least two thousand years ago, they were one of the musical instruments of the Saka nomadic tribes.
These ancient two-strings are very similar to the Kazakh dombra and are its prototype. So, with the help of archeology, the ancient origin of dombra was proved. There are two types of dombra - western and eastern. Different forms of dombras were due to the peculiarities of the two performing traditions. To perform fast, virtuoso tokpe-kyui, it was necessary that the left hand could move freely and slide along the fretboard.
Therefore, the neck of western dombras was thin and elongated. These techniques were not applicable when performing on oriental dombras with a wide shortened neck. The size of the instruments and the shape of the bodies influenced the strength of the sound: the larger the size, the louder the dombra.
The technique of the right hand also influenced the nature of the sound: in tokpe-kuy, the sound was extracted on both strings by strong hand strokes, and in shertpa, soft plucked string picking with individual fingers was used. Thus, there was a close connection between the arrangement of dombras and the kyuis that are performed on them. Dombra could be not only two-stringed, but also three-stringed.
In the past, three-stringed dombras were found in various regions of Kazakhstan, but at the present time they have survived only in the Semipalatinsk region. Shanak - the body of the dombyra, acts as a sound amplifier. Kakpak - soundboard of dombyra. perceiving the sounds of strings through vibration, it amplifies them and gives a certain color to the sound of the instrument - timbre.
The spring is a beam on the deck from the inside, in German it is called “der bassbalken”. There was no spring in the Kazakh dombyra before. The length of the violin spring is assumed to be in the range from 250 to 270 mm - 295 mm. At the dombyra, now, to improve the sound, a similar spring (from 250 - 300 mm long) is attached to the upper part of the shell and near the stand.
As a rule, it is made from spruce that has been aged for several decades without signs of rot. The shells are made from maple. The blanks should have such a thickness that when finishing the shells, depending on the density of the maple, their thickness is 1 - 1.2 mm. The stand is a very important functional element of the dombyra.
By transmitting the vibrations of the strings to the soundboard and creating the first resonant circuit along the path of vibrations from the strings to the body, the bridge is the true key to the sound of the dombra. The strength, evenness and timbre of the sound of the instrument depends on its qualities, shape, weight and tuning. The string is the source of sound vibrations of the dombyra. The dombyra was traditionally used with gut strings made from mutton or goat intestines.
It was believed that strings from the intestines of a two-year-old sheep had the best qualities. Such strings give a low sound and, accordingly, a low mood, characteristic of folk music. G-c, A-d, B-es, H-e. Of the sheep from different regions of Kazakhstan, preference is given to sheep from Atyrau and Mangystau regions. Apparently, the salinity of pastures for livestock in these places favorably affects the quality of strings made from mutton intestines.
For orchestral works of world classics, the low mood turned out to be inconvenient. Therefore, in the thirties, in connection with the creation of orchestras of folk instruments, the tuning of the d-g strings was chosen. However, the vein strings could not withstand it and quickly burst. Akhmed Zhubanov tried to use catgut, silk, kapron, etc. as a material, but ordinary fishing line turned out to be the most suitable in terms of sound.
As a result, today we have the only, widespread type of dombyra among the Kazakhs of a standard form with strings made of fishing line, which has lost its unique timbre of sound. Legend of dombra says that it was invented to tell the khan about the death of his only son. Khan did not want to hear about the death of his son and ordered to fill the throat with lead to anyone who dared to tell him about it.
The musician, who did not say a word, was able to convey the sad news to the khan by playing the dombra. Hot lead burned the wood, and a hole formed in the dombra. Many centuries later, in 1925, the Kazakh singer Amre Kashaubaev conquered the discerning public at the World Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris with his singing and virtuoso playing the dombra.
At the same time, his voice was recorded by the Paris Voice Museum. The famous composer and musicologist Akhmet Zhubanov in 1933 created a dombra ensemble at the Alma-Ata Music and Drama College. Since 1938, for the first time in the history of Kazakh music, the orchestra began to perform works from notes, reconstructed kobyz, dombras were introduced into its composition. In 1944, the orchestra was named after the folk singer Kurmangazy.

Kui Dombra.

"Play your kuy, dombra, play,
Spill a wonderful chant,
Bubbling like mountain streams
Yes, heart joy sing.
So that all the fog in the mountains disappears,
So that the clouds all come down from heaven,
So that everyone listens to you -
I love your tunes
Even stronger, dombra, play!
Three pegs and two strings
Yes, nine knots - dombra.
Yes, ten fingers that are free
Any cause wind.
Jump, fingers, like a horse,
In the most beautiful of all pursuits,
Play even stronger, dombra!
Hey, listen, working people,
How sweetly dombra sings
In the hands of the people's kuishi.
And the distance of the steppes, and the passion of the soul -
Everything turns into a kui game!
Play even stronger, dombra!
Hey, labor people singer,
Ruler of strings, connoisseur of hearts,
Excite me with joy.
I will remember yours forever
About a new life, young.
You, our wise chronicler.
Play even stronger, dombra!”

Plan:

Introduction

• 1 Dombyra in Kazakh culture
• 2 Etymology of the word dombyra
• 3 History of the instrument
• 4 Dombyra - kui instrument
• 5 The structure of the dombyra
• 6 Legends about the origin of dombyra
Literature
Notes

Introduction

Not to be confused with Domra.

Dombra(kaz. dombyra) is a musical plucked instrument that exists in the culture of the Turkic peoples. It is considered a folk instrument among the Kazakhs.

1. Dombyra in Kazakh culture

Dombra(kaz. dombyra) - a Kazakh folk two-stringed plucked musical instrument. It is used as an accompanying and solo, as well as the main instrument in Kazakh folk music. Used by modern performers.

Pear-shaped body and long fretboard. The strings are usually tuned in fourths or fifths.

One of the greatest dombra players is the Kazakh folk musician and composer Kurmangazy, who had a great influence on the development of Kazakh musical culture, including dombra music: his musical composition "Adai" is popular in Kazakhstan and abroad.

Not only Kazakhs have dombyra. Traditionally, in Russian it is called dombra, but in the Kazakh version, dombyra is more correct.

This instrument has its analogues in many nations. In Russian culture there is a Dumra instrument similar in shape, in Tajik culture - Dumrak, in Uzbek culture - Dumbyra, Dumbrak, similar in shape to Dutar, in Kyrgyz culture - Komuz, in Turkmen culture - Dutar, Bash, Dumbyra, in Bashkir culture - Dumbyra , in the Nogai culture of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov - Dombyra, in Turkish culture - Saz. These instruments sometimes differ in the number of strings (up to 3 strings), as well as in the material of the strings (nylon, metal).

2. Etymology of the word dombyra

The etymology of the word Dombyra has not been fully studied. In the Tatar language, Dumbra is a balalaika, and Dombura is a guitar, in Kalmyk, Dombra means the same as dombyra, in Turkish, Tambur is a guitar, in Mongolian, Dombura is again a dombyra. There are many hypotheses about the origin of this word, there is no consensus on this matter yet.

3. Tool history

In 1989, in Kazakhstan, in the Almaty region, high in the mountains on the plateau (zhailau) "Maitobe", Professor S. Akitaev, with the help of the ethnographer Zhagd Babalykuly, discovered a rock drawing depicting a musical instrument and four dancing people in different poses. According to the studies of the famous archaeologist K. Akishev, this drawing dates back to the Neolithic period. Now this drawing is in the Museum of Folk Instruments. Ykylas Dukenuly in Almaty, Kazakhstan. As can be seen from the figure, the instrument depicted by the ancient artist on the rock is very similar in shape to the dombyra. Based on this, we can say that the prototype of the current dombyra is more than 4000 years old and is one of the first plucked instruments - the forerunner of modern musical instruments of this kind.

Also at one time, during the excavations of ancient Khorezm, terracotta figurines of musicians playing plucked instruments were found. Scientists note that the Khorezmian two-strings, which existed at least 2000 years ago, have a typological similarity with the Kazakh dombra and were one of the most common instruments among the early nomads who lived on the territory of Kazakhstan.

According to the written monuments of the Eurasian continent, it can be concluded that the dombyra and its related instruments of other peoples on the mainland have been well known since ancient times. In the monuments of different periods in the Eurasian space, we recognize the presence of this plucked instrument, in particular, from the monuments of Saka, Hunnic origin. This instrument is also found among the Kimans (Kumans). The Kipchaks are the descendants of the Cumans. Musical works (kui) of those years have come down to us such as: Ertis tolkyndary (ertis tolqyndary-Waves of the Irtysh), Mұңdy Қyz (mundy kyz-sad girl), Tepen kok (tepen kok-lynx), Ақсақ қаз (aqsaq qaz-lame goose) , Bozіngen (bozingen-bright camel), Zhelmaya (zhelmaja-one-humped camel), Құlannyң tarpuy (qulannyn tarpu'y-the tramp of a kulan), Kөkeikesti (kokeikesti-deep experience) and others.

Marco Polo noted in his writings that this instrument was present among the warriors of the nomadic Turks, who at that time were called Tatars in Russia. They sang and played it before the fight, to achieve the appropriate mood.

This instrument, however, is the property of all the Turkic peoples of the world.

4. Dombyra - kui instrument

For the Kazakhs, kuy is more than a work, it is a sounding page in the history of their people, their customs and culture. Therefore, the Kazakhs highly appreciated the performers of kuev-kuishi, among which dombyra players made up the vast majority (kui are performed not only on dombyra). The Kazakh people say: a real Kazakh is not a Kazakh himself, a real Kazakh-dombyra. At the same time, one must understand that the Kazakhs cannot imagine their past, present and future without their favorite instrument, the dombyra. It should also be clarified that the word Kazakh means a free warrior, an independent individual who, if he exists in a group, then only of his own free will, while joining the community of worthy and serving him, protecting him, giving labor, life, health and skill without a trace, like a fearless man-warrior earner.

5. The structure of the dombyra

Dombra has retained its basic structure and appearance for centuries. Folk masters are constantly striving to expand its sound capabilities, melodiousness, rather than diversify the form. So, for example, the Central Kazakhstan dombyra is distinguished by a flat body and two gut strings on it. A typical, most common dombyra with an oval body is shown in the photograph. Below are the names of the components of dombyra.

Shanak- the body of the dombyra, acts as a sound amplifier.

Kakpak- dombyra deck. perceiving the sounds of strings through vibration, it amplifies them and gives a certain color to the sound of the instrument - timbre.

Spring- this is a beam on the deck from the inside, in German it is called “der bassbalken”. There was no spring in the Kazakh dombyra before. The length of the violin spring is assumed to be in the range from 250 to 270 mm - 295 mm. At the dombyra, now, to improve the sound, a similar spring (250-300 mm long) is attached to the upper part of the shell and near the stand. As a rule, it is made from spruce that has been aged for several decades without signs of rot.

shells made from maple. The blanks should have such a thickness that when finishing the shells, depending on the density of the maple, their thickness is 1-1.2 mm.

Stand- a very responsible functional element of dombyra. By transmitting the vibrations of the strings to the soundboard and creating the first resonant circuit along the path of vibrations from the strings to the body, the bridge is the true key to the sound of the dombra. The strength, evenness and timbre of the sound of the instrument depends on its qualities, shape, weight and tuning.

String- source of sound vibrations of dombyra. The dombyra was traditionally used with gut strings made from mutton or goat intestines. It was believed that strings from the intestines of a two-year-old sheep had the best qualities. Such strings give a low sound and, accordingly, a low mood, characteristic of folk music. G-c, A-d, B-es, H-e. Of the sheep from different regions of Kazakhstan, preference is given to sheep from Atyrau and Mangystau regions. Apparently, the salinity of pastures for livestock in these places favorably affects the quality of strings made from mutton intestines. For orchestral works of world classics, the low mood turned out to be inconvenient. Therefore, in the thirties, in connection with the creation of orchestras of folk instruments, the tuning of the d-g strings was chosen. However, the vein strings could not withstand it and quickly burst. Akhmed Zhubanov tried to use catgut, silk, kapron, etc. as a material, but ordinary fishing line turned out to be the most suitable in terms of sound. As a result, today we have the only, widespread type of dombyra among the Kazakhs of a standard form with strings made of fishing line, which has lost its unique timbre of sound.

6. Legends about the origin of dombyra

Archaeological research has established that the Saka nomadic tribes used two-stringed musical instruments, which are similar to the Kazakh dombra and may be its prototype, more than 2 thousand years ago.

There are legends about dombra and its origin:

• The legend about the origin of dombra says that in ancient times two giant brothers lived in Altai. The younger brother had a dombra, which he loved to play. As soon as he plays, he forgets about everything in the world. The elder brother was proud and conceited. Once he wanted to become famous, for which he decided to build a bridge across a stormy and cold river. He began to collect stones, began to build a bridge. And the younger brother plays and plays.

So another day passed, and then a third. The younger brother is not in a hurry to help the elder, he only knows that he plays his favorite instrument. The older brother got angry, snatched the dombra from the younger and, with all his strength, hit it against the rock. A magnificent instrument broke, the melody fell silent, but an imprint remained on the stone.

Many years later. People found this imprint, began to make new dombras on it, and music again sounded in the villages that had been silent for a long time.

• The legend about the acquisition of a modern look by dombra says that earlier dombra was with five strings and without a hole in the middle. Such an instrument was owned by the glorious dzhigit Kezhendyk, well-known throughout the district. He once fell in love with the daughter of a local khan. Khan invited Kezhendyk to his yurt and ordered him to prove his love for his daughter. Dzhigit began to play, for a long time and beautifully. He sang a song about the khan himself, about his greed and greed. Khan got angry and ordered to spoil the instrument by pouring hot lead into the middle of the dombra. Then a hole in the middle burned out and only two strings remained.

Literature

This literature can be found in Kazakhstan, Almaty, the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan...

1. Akishev K. A. Kurgan Issyk. - Moscow, 1978.
2. Alekseeva L. A. Nazhmedenov J. Features of the musical structure of the Kazakh dombra.//Kazakh culture: research and search. Collection of scientific articles, Almaty, 2000.
3. Alekseeva L. A. Nazhmedenov Zh. Features of the Kakha dombra.// We and the universe. 2001. No. 1(6), pp52-54.
4. Amanov B. Composition terminology of dombra cues. Alma-Ata, 1982
5. Aravin. P. V. Steppe constellations. - Alma-Ata, 1979.
6. Aravin. P. V. Great kuishi Dauletkerey.-Alma-Ata, 1964.
7. Asafiev B.V. About Kazakh folk music.//Musical culture of Kazakhstan.-Alma-Ata, 1955
8. Barmankulov M. Turkic universe.-Almaty, 1996.
9. Vyzgo T. Musical Instruments of Central Asia. Moscow, 1980.
10. Gizatov B. Socio-aesthetic foundations of Kazakh folk instrumental music.-Alma-Ata, 1989.
11. Zhubanov A.K. Kazakh folk instrument-dombra.//Musicology.-Alma-Ata, 1976. p.8-10.
    , Chordophones , Kazakh musical instruments .
    The text is available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license.

the site found out what this tool means for the Kazakh people and what is its history. And also what connects President Nursultan Nazarbayev with the national instrument. Photos and videos with the participation of the Head of State were provided by the press service of Akorda.

How did dombra appear?

The Kazakh dombra has many relatives, including the Russian domra, the Uzbek dombra, and the Bashkir dombra. It is impossible to say exactly how and when the Kazakh national instrument appeared. But researchers are sure of one thing: this is an object with a rich history. Archaeological finds indicate that the prototype of the dombra appeared more than 4000 years ago.

As evidence, they cite rock art found on the Maitobe plateau in 1989. The figure shows a musical instrument similar in shape to a dombra and dancing people. Archaeologist Kemal Akishev attributed the find to the Neolithic era.

Rock painting / Photo from abai.kz

The Saka tribes also played an instrument very similar to the dombra. During the excavations of Khorezm, archaeologists found terracotta figurines of musicians with two-strings in their hands. We also found a description of this instrument among the Cumans (the European name for the Kipchaks). They loved dombra and the tribes of the Huns. Even their kyui have survived to this day: "Kenes", "Sary ozen", "Shubar at".

Abu Nasyr al-Farabi in his writings described the tambour as follows: an instrument very similar to the dombra.

There are, of course, beautiful legends about the origin of the instrument. According to one of them, two giant brothers lived in Altai. The younger one was very fond of playing his dombra. And as soon as he started to play, he forgot about everything in the world. The elder was very vain. He wanted to become famous by building a bridge across the river. He began to collect stones and build a bridge. The older one works, the younger one plays. The day passed, the second, the third. The musician is not in a hurry to help his brother. Then the elder got angry, grabbed the dombra and hit it against the rock. The music stopped, but the imprint remained on the stone. After many years, people found this imprint, began to make new dombras in its likeness - the music sounded again.

Another legend says that Genghis Khan's beloved son Jochi died while hunting, the servants did not know how to inform their ruler about this, and brought a musician to him. He did not say a word, he just played the kui "Aksak Kulan" on the dombra. The Khan understood everything and ordered the dombra to be executed. Since then, a hole has appeared on the tool - a trace of molten lead.

Another interpretation of the previous story was not without a love component. Previously, dombra was with five strings and without a hole. Dzhigit Kezhendyk masterfully owned this instrument. And so he fell in love with the daughter of the local khan. Khan invited the horseman to his yurt and ordered him to prove his love for his daughter. Kezhendyk began to play. He played long and beautifully. And he sang not only about love. He sang songs about the khan himself, about his greed and greed. Khan got angry and ordered to pour lead on the dombra. Then a hole appeared and only two strings remained.

There is some truth in beautiful legends. This plucked instrument, like no other, can convey the sound of the Kazakh steppe, the wind moving the feather grass, mountains resting against the sky, clouds blowing away into the distance. Kui can beautifully sing about beauty, and aitys can strike bitingly, recalling the basest qualities, after which the heroes will definitely want to fill the instrument with lead. It is not for nothing that brave akyns have been valued at all times. Music could say what people themselves were afraid to say. In the competition of aityskers, some even see the progenitors of modern rap battles.

For the Kazakh people, dombra has a special historical value. There is even a saying:

"Nagyz kazak - kazak emes, nagyz kazak - dombyra!" ("The real Kazakh -this is not the Kazakh himself, the real Kazakh is dombra!".

In 2010, dombra entered the Guinness Book of Records. In the regional center of Tola, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, 10,450 people simultaneously performed the Kazakh kui "Kenes".

The historical value of the dombra was also recognized by UNESCO. In 2014, the organization included the Kazakh kui, dombra and yurt in the heritage list.

The path to the power tool

Nomads made dombra from what was at hand, and from almost any material: wood, reeds, leather, bones, animal horns, horsehair. For the strings, the intestines of a goat or a ram were used.

In a later period and today, dombra is made from strong oak and maple wood. Moreover, art critics share two types of dombra: western and eastern. Western is a large dombra with an oval pear-shaped body and a thin fingerboard. Experts note that this instrument has a special rumbling sound and it is saturated with overflows with a low timbre. Oriental dombras, on the contrary, are very melodic. They have a wide spade-shaped body and a short neck.

Creating a dombra is a special skill, an art that is not subject to everyone. How dombra will sound depends on the smallest detail. The type of tree plays an important role.

In 2012, an electric dombra was created. The author of the invention is Nurzhan Toyshi, the founder of the unusual Aldaspan group. As Nurzhan says in numerous interviews, the idea to create such a dombra came to him back in the late 80s, but he managed to start implementation only in 2009. And in 2012, the first and only band in the world that plays the electric dombra appeared.

Dombra Day

Nursultan Nazarbayev appreciates the dombra and has a good command of the instrument. He is convinced - and he taught this to his grandchildren - that dombra is an integral part of history, the heritage of the Kazakh people.

Nursultan Nazarbayev with his grandchildren, 1992 / Photo by the press service of Akorda

In January 2002, the President said in an interview with the Russian magazine "Echo of the Planet":

"Dombra is a purely national instrument. To simply understand it, one must be born a Kazakh ... Its sound is completely unusual. It seems to speak of the wide steppes of Kazakhstan, our mountains, our ancestors, our history ...".

The newspaper "Kazakh adebieti" in 2006 also quoted the head of state:

"Kolym kalt etkende dombyraga kol sozyp, zhyr zhazatynym da sol bir armanshyl shaktan kalgan zhұқana da ("The habit of taking dombra in hand and writing songs has been formed since dreamy times")".

Nursultan Nazarbayev is not only a dreamer and sings about high feelings. The President at one of the events played the dombra and sang about life and that the one who does, and not the one who talks a lot, deserves respect.

On June 13, the head of state signed a Decree, according to which the first Sunday of July in Kazakhstan was established as the National Dombra Day. On this day, throughout the country, thousands of dombra players will play the folk instrument.