Dombra

Not to be confused withDomra.

Dombra

Kazakhdombra
Classification	Plucked string instrument
Related instruments

Thedombra,also known asdombyra(Kazakh:домбыра), (Persian:دمبوره) is a long-necked musicalstring instrumentused by theKazakhs,Hazaras,Uzbeks,Tajiks,Nogais,Bashkirs,andTatarsin their traditionalfolk music.The dombra shares certain characteristics with thekomuzanddutarinstruments, such as its long, thin neck and oblong body shape. It is a popular instrument mostly amongTurkiccommunities inCentral Asiancountries.

Varieties

The instrument differs slightly in different regions. The Kazakhdombyrahasfretsand is played by strumming with the hand or plucking each string individually, with an occasional tap on the main surface of the instrument. While the strings are traditionally made of sinew, modern dombras are usually produced using nylon strings. One of the greatest dombra players was the Kazakh folk musician and composerKurmangazy Sagyrbayuly,who had a major influence on the development of Kazakh musical culture, including music for the dombra; his musical composition "Adai" is popular inKazakhstanand abroad.

In 2012, theelektrodombyrawas created.

The Hazara,Turkestani,andBadakhshanidamburas,commonly found inAfghanistan,arefretlesswith a body and neck carved from a single block of wood, usuallymulberryorapricot.Thedamburais played with much banging and scratching on the instrument to help give apercussivesound. The two strings are made ofnylon(in modern times) orgut.They cross a shortbridgeto a pin at the other end of the body. There is a tiny sound hole in the back of the instrument, while the top is thick wood. It is not finished with anyvarnish,filing/sandingof any kind, and as with all other Turkic instruments there is some decoration.

A performer strikes all the strings at the same time. The upper string performs thebourdontoneand the lower string performs the melody. Adumburais used as a solo as well as an ensemble instrument.

History

The dombyra first appeared in theMiddle Ages.For example, the works ofAby Nasyr Al-Farabirefer to atambur-like musical instrument similar to the dombyra. An instrument similar to the Dombyra existed in almost every country inCentral Asia.Within the last century, there have been many great composers and Dombyra players, such asKurmangazy,Kazangap, and Tattimbet.

The importance of the dombra in the culture of Kazakhstan was marked by including it in the Intangible Heritage register. In November 2014,Dombra kuywas included in was registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.In 2018, Kazakhstan initiated the Dombra Day. The National Dombra Day is celebrated in Kazakhstan every first Sunday of July.

Dombra in ensemble and epic performance

Playing the dombra

The Kazakh poetAbay Qunanbayuliis often shown holding a dombra at rest and many hold it in high regard as a national symbol among the post-Sovietnations of theCommonwealth of Independent States.The dombra is played by Erzhan Alimbetov in theUlytauband.

From the 12th to the 18th century, thedumburawas used by Bashkirsasansto accompany their poetic legends andkubairs.It is mentioned in the epic poem "Zayatulyak and Hiuhiliu". However, by the beginning of the 20th century, thedumburawas forgotten. Thesasanswere often the main ideologists of ethnic insurrections, so when the Russian administration put down an uprising, they punished thedumbura sasansand destroyed theirdumbura.In the second half of the 20th century, several reconstructions were carried out. At present, the revivalist work continues. Among others, performer V. Shugayupov works on the revival of thedumbura.The modern woodendumburahas a pear-shaped or an oval form.

References in popular culture

Dombra diagram, with description in Esperanto.

This instrument has become a part of anInternet phenomenonafter a video clip fromSuperStar KZ,the Kazakh equivalent of theIdol series,was posted onYouTube.The video includes two contestants singing and a third one singing and playing the dombra (Ernar Kaldynov), which caused the popularity. The name of the original song is Freestailo by R.Lizer, a Kazakh man.

Dombyra as an instrument is being popularized throughDombyra Parties,a flash mob-like movement of Kazakh youth organized viasocial media.The videos of Dombyra Party activities are shared on YouTube, Facebook etc.

Range and tablature

Many folk and regional tunings have existed, though below is the most accepted academic DG tuning for standard concert dombra prima of Kazakhstan.

There are different classifications of Dombyra, for example Dombyra for singing songs orjirshas 8-9 frets, dombyra for kyus has more than 20 frets.

Gallery

• 
  Dawood Sarkhosh,aHazaraDombra player.
• 
  AKazakhDombra player.

See also

• Tovshuur
• Tanbur
• Domra
• TanpuraandTumburu

External links

Kui on dombra

• Kazakh national Kui - Nauai, author Dina Nurpeisova
• Kazakh national Kui - Adai

How to play the dombra

• Learning dombyra on YouTube

Other links

• Song "Dombira"byArslanbek Sultanbekov
• Dombıra - An Ancient Turkish Music Instrument
• video clipfromSuperStar KZ