View source for Dombra

{{Short description|Long-necked musical string instrument}}
{{distinguish|Domra}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2021}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox Instrument
|name=''Dombra''
|image=Kazakh Dombra2.png
|image_capt=Kazakh ''dombra''
|background=string
|classification=[[Plucked string instrument]]
|range= 
|related=[[Komuz]], [[dutar]]
*}}

The '''dombra''', also known as the '''dombyra''' ({{langx|kk|домбыра}}; {{langx|fa|دمبوره}}), is a long-necked musical [[string instrument]] used by the [[Kazakhs]], [[Hazaras]], [[Uzbeks]], [[Tajiks]], [[Nogais]], [[Bashkirs]], and [[Tatars]] in their traditional [[folk music]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-25 |title=Revitalising the tambura {{!}} The Express Tribune |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2349636/revitalising-the-tambura |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=tribune.com.pk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-06 |title=Musical instruments of the peoples of the Caucasus. Dombra {{!}} Music of the Caucasus |url=https://zvuk-m.com/en/muzykalnye-instrumenty-narodov-kavkaza-dombra.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |language=en}}</ref> The dombra shares certain characteristics with the [[komuz]] and [[dutar]] instruments, such as its long, thin neck and oblong body shape. It is a popular instrument mostly among [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]] communities in [[Central Asian]] countries.

==Varieties==
The instrument differs slightly in different regions. The Kazakh '''dombyra''' has [[fret]]s and 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 [[Tendon|sinew]], modern dombras are usually produced using [[nylon]] strings. One of the greatest dombra players was the Kazakh folk musician and composer [[Kurmangazy Sagyrbayuly]], who had a major influence on the development of Kazakh musical culture, including music for the dombra; his musical composition "Adai" is popular in [[Kazakhstan]] and abroad.

In 2012, the ''elektrodombyra'' was created.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dalaruh.kz/news/view/112|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411020101/http://dalaruh.kz/news/view/112|url-status=dead|title=Дух Великой Степи — Электродомбра помогла казахстанской группе достичь вершин рок-чарта в США|archivedate=Apr 11, 2015}}</ref>

The [[Hazaras|Hazara]], [[Turkestan]]i, and [[Badakhshan]]i {{Transliteration|tk|italic=no|damburas}}, commonly found in [[Afghanistan]], are [[fret]]less<ref name="central">{{Cite web |url=http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/central_asia.htm |title=Atlas of plucked instruments - Central Asia |access-date=2009-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305013754/http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/central_asia.htm |archive-date=2012-03-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with a body and neck carved from a single block of wood, usually [[mulberry]] or [[apricot]]. The {{Transliteration|tk|italic=no|dambura}} is played with much banging and scratching on the instrument to help give a [[percussion|percussive]] sound. The two strings are made of [[nylon]] (in modern times) or [[gut string|gut]]. They cross a short [[bridge (instrument)|bridge]] to 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 any [[varnish]], [[Filing (metalworking)|filing]]/[[sanding]] of 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 the [[Drone (sound)|bourdon]] [[Musical tone|tone]] and the lower string performs the [[melody]]. A {{Transliteration|tk|italic=no|dumbura}} is used as a solo as well as an ensemble instrument.

== History ==
The dombyra first appeared in the [[Middle Ages]]. For example, the works of [[Al-Farabi|Aby Nasyr Al-Farabi]] refer to a [[tambur]]-like musical instrument similar to the dombyra. An instrument similar to the Dombyra existed in almost every country in [[Central Asia]]. Within the last century, there have been many great composers and Dombyra players, such as [[Kurmangazy Sagyrbaev|Kurmangazy]], 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 kuy'' was included in was registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.<ref>[https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/00996 "Kazakh traditional art of Dombra Kuy."] UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2014.</ref> In 2018, Kazakhstan initiated the Dombra Day. The National Dombra Day is celebrated in Kazakhstan every first Sunday of July.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inform.kz/en/article/3545841|title=Above 1,000 participated in Dombra Day celebrations|date=Jul 8, 2019|website=Inform.kz}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Dombra in ensemble and epic performance==
[[File:Celebration of Nowruz shared by several countries, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Turkey. 1.jpg|left|thumb|A man playing the dombra during a [[Nowruz]] celebration in 2011]]
The Kazakh poet [[Abay Qunanbayuli]] is often shown holding a dombra at rest and many hold it in high regard as a national symbol among the post-[[Soviet Union|Soviet]] nations of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]]. The dombra is played by Erzhan Alimbetov in the [[Ulytau (music group)|Ulytau]] band.

From the 12th to the 18th century, the {{Transliteration|ba|italic=no|dumbura}} was used by Bashkir {{Transliteration|ba|sasans}} to accompany their poetic legends and {{Transliteration|ba|italic=no|kubairs}}. It is mentioned in the epic poem "Zayatulyak and Hiuhiliu". However, by the beginning of the 20th century, the {{Transliteration|ba|italic=no|dumbura}} was forgotten. The {{Transliteration|ba|sasans}} were often the main ideologists of ethnic insurrections, so when the Russian administration put down an uprising, they punished the {{Transliteration|ba|dumbura sasans}} and destroyed their {{Transliteration|ba|italic=no|dumbura}}.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} 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 the {{Transliteration|ba|italic=no|dumbura}}. The modern wooden {{Transliteration|ba|italic=no|dumbura}} has a pear-shaped or an oval form.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}

==References in popular culture==
[[Image:Dombra eo.png|thumb|Dombra diagram, with description in Esperanto.]]
This instrument has become a part of an [[Internet phenomenon]] after a video clip from [[SuperStar KZ]], the Kazakh equivalent of the [[Idol series]], was posted on [[YouTube]]. 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 through [[Dombyra Party|Dombyra Parties]], a flash mob-like movement of Kazakh youth organized via [[social 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.
[[File:Kazakh dombra dombyra range tablature DG tuning.svg|1000px|center]]

There are different classifications of Dombyra, for example Dombyra for singing songs or {{Transliteration|tk|italic=no|jirs}} has 8-9 frets, dombyra for kyus has more than 20 frets.<ref>[https://shahnameh.netlify.com/dombra.htm "Dombra"] ''The Shahnameh Guide To The Lutes Of Central Asia''</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Dawood Sarkhosh Hazara.jpg|[[Dawood Sarkhosh]], a [[Hazaras|Hazara]] Dombra player.
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Tovshuur]]
* [[Tanbur]]
* [[Domra]]
* [[Tanpura]] and [[Tumburu]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
'''Kui on dombra'''
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQKMuppo_xQ Kazakh national Kui - Nauai, author Dina Nurpeisova]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=251iezK9RYE Kazakh national Kui - Adai]
'''How to play the dombra'''
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnocegesp-Y Learning dombyra on YouTube]
'''Other links'''
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5McMzWgJPXk Song "Dombira"] by [[Arslanbek Sultanbekov]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120817074145/http://radio.indymedia.org/en/node/40230 Dombıra - An Ancient Turkish Music Instrument]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6kRD0_qTbc video clip] from [[SuperStar KZ]]

{{Lute}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dombra| ]]
[[Category:Necked bowl lutes]]
[[Category:Turkish musical instruments]]
[[Category:Bashkir musical instruments]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani musical instruments]]
[[Category:Kyrgyz musical instruments]]
[[Category:Tatar musical instruments]]
[[Category:Uzbekistani musical instruments]]
[[Category:Russian musical instruments]]
[[Category:Afghan musical instruments]]
[[Category:Uyghur musical instruments]]