The dombra is a long-necked, two-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 or plucking each string individually, with an occasional tap on the main surface of the instrument. While the two strings are traditionally made of 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 Kazkakh 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.
Their are a number of similar instruments that differ very little from the dombra described here. Turkmenistan has the dutar. Tajikistan has the dombura.
See also:
- kobyz (a bowed instrument, played like a cello)
- shan-kobyz (similar to a jew's harp)
- sibizghi (a flute-like instrument)
