Dombra

Dombra is a traditional Turkic instrument with a long neck and typically two strings, widely used among the Turkic peoples of Central Asia, especially in Kazakhstan. Used both as a solo and accompanying instrument, the dombra is regarded as an identity and cultural memory tool for many communities, particularly the Kazakh Turks. The Kazakh dombra music, inscribed by UNESCO on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has elevated the instrument’s significance to an international level.

Dombra (Tüdev)

History and Origins

The dombra is one of the oldest Turkic instruments, with origins believed to extend as far back as the 5th to 7th centuries. An example discovered in 2008 in the Nuhen Had cave in the Cargalant-Kayırhan region of Mongolia by a shepherd, and referred to as the Old Turkic dombra, sheds light on the instrument’s historical past.

The word “dombra” derives from the Turkic root morpheme dop-//dom-, meaning “round, swollen object.” Although it has evolved into various forms across different regions, the dombra remains one of the few instruments to have maintained continuity in the musical memory of Central Asia.

Legends and Oral Narratives

There are various legends in Kazakh oral culture regarding the origins of the dombra. One such legend tells the story of Kerbuğa-küyşi, who conveyed the death of Jochi Khan, son of Genghis Khan, through music. Kerbuğa played the Küy titled “Aksak Ceylan” on the dombra to inform the Khan. Upon the Khan’s order, molten lead was poured not onto Kerbuğa himself but onto the body of the dombra, causing its strings to break. Thus, the six-stringed dombra transformed into its present two-stringed form.

According to another legend, a woman, inspired by the tale of twin infants who survived by weeping while tied to a tree, felled the tree and fashioned an instrument from its fibers. The sound produced by this instrument resembled the heartbeat of the children.

Structure and Technical Features

The dombra is a long-necked, hollow-bodied instrument, typically with two strings. Its body is carved from a single piece of wood and covered with a thin wooden soundboard. In the past, the strings were made from animal intestines or sinew; today, they are commonly made of monofilament nylon or brass wire.

• Monofilament-stringed dombra is used for both singing accompaniment and instrumental performance.
• Wire-stringed (brass, etc.) dombra is preferred exclusively for instrumental playing.

Dombra playing is typically performed using the “şelpe” technique, which involves plucking the strings with the fingertips without a plectrum. This method resembles the fingerstyle technique used in stringed instruments like the bağlama.

Physical form and features (Colorful magazine)

Playing Techniques and Küy Tradition

In the dombra playing tradition, küy—wordless musical forms—are prevalent. Each küy serves as an evocation of an event, emotion, or natural phenomenon. A dombra master’s ability to imitate the sound of a horse’s hooves on the instrument is considered a significant indicator of mastery.

Küy are not merely musical expressions but also function as historical narratives. It is possible to play the dombra without knowledge of musical notation, making it an accessible instrument among the people. However, mastery and artistry require specific training and technical proficiency.

Cultural Significance and Social Role

In Kazakh culture, the dombra is not merely a musical instrument but is recognized as a symbol of national identity. Its placement in the corner of honor in homes and its frequent use in weddings, ceremonies, and daily life reflect this role.

In Kazakhstan, the first Sunday of July has been officially declared National Dombra Day. On this day, thousands of people play the dombra simultaneously, reinforcing a sense of social unity and collective identity. Even during the Soviet era, when Kazakh identity was suppressed, the dombra remained a vital medium for expressing the people’s emotions.

UNESCO Listing and International Recognition

The art of performing küy exclusively on the dombra was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2014. This recognition affirms that the dombra carries a cultural value that transcends its local origins and holds universal significance.

Dombra in Türkiye

The dombra began to gain recognition in Türkiye following the 1997 composition of the piece titled “Dombıra” by Arslanbek Sultanbekov. This composition was performed by various political adaptations and music groups, generating widespread public attention in 2014 and 2015.

The use of the dombra in the soundtrack of the Turkish television series “Diriliş: Ertuğrul” broadcast on TRT1 has significantly increased the instrument’s visibility in Türkiye. Moreover, Turkish audiences, familiar with the “şelpe” technique used in bağlama playing, are not unfamiliar with the tonal qualities of the dombra.

Several institutions in Türkiye, including the Kazakh Turks Education and Research Association, the East Turkestan Emigrants Association, and Erzincan University, have established dombra courses, a practice that continues as of 2019.