Alphabetical List of Instruments – K
From the Kabaro drum from Ethiopia to the Kyl-kyjak fiddle from Kyrgyzstan, learn more about the instruments of the world.
Classification Note:
Chordophones produce sound primarily by the vibration of strings. Idiophone generate sound through the vibration of the instrument’s body itself, without the use of strings, membranes, or external air columns. Membranophones produce sound through the vibration of a stretched membrane. Aerophones create sound by vibrating air within the instrument.
Kabaro
The Kabaro is a single or double-headed drum traditionally crafted from wood and animal skin. Musicians play it by striking the drumheads with their hands, producing rhythmic patterns. As a membranophone, it hails from Ethiopia and has been used for centuries in both religious and communal music settings, often accompanying dances and ceremonies.
Kabosy
The Kabosy is a box-shaped lute with four to six strings, typically plucked or strummed with a plectrum. This chordophone originates from Madagascar and is a staple in Malagasy folk music, often accompanying singers. The instrument has been used for generations, primarily in traditional storytelling and celebratory music.
Kaen
The Kaen is a Thai mouth organ made from a series of bamboo pipes connected to a wind chamber. Played by blowing into the mouthpiece and covering holes to produce different notes, this aerophone is central to Thai folk music. It has ancient roots, contributing to the rich history of Southeast Asian musical traditions.
Kagura Suzu
The Kagura Suzu is a handheld bell tree with multiple tiers of bells, played by shaking to create a bright, jingling sound. As an idiophone, it is used in Japanese Shinto rituals and has existed for centuries as part of religious ceremonies. The Kagura Suzu enhances spiritual ambiance through its distinct sound.
Kaiambarambo
The Kaiambarambo is a bundle of resonant grasses from Madagascar, used as a shaken or struck percussion instrument. Classified as an idiophone, it is employed in traditional Malagasy music to create a rustling sound. Its origins are deeply rooted in folk traditions, contributing to the rhythm of communal gatherings.
Kakko
The Kakko is a small double-headed drum, often ornately designed, played with sticks in Japanese gagaku court music. This membranophone has been used for over a thousand years and is essential in imperial and religious ceremonies, producing sharp rhythmic beats that guide the tempo of ensemble performances.
Kalyuka
The Kalyuka is a Russian and Ukrainian overtone flute made from wood, without finger holes, and played by altering mouth shape and airflow. As an aerophone, it creates harmonic sounds used in Eastern European folk music, dating back to ancient rural traditions. Its haunting tones complement vocal and instrumental folk ensembles.
Kamancha
The Kamancha is a bowed knee fiddle with four metal strings, played upright like a cello. Originating from Central Asia and the Caucasus, this chordophone is integral to Persian and Armenian traditional music. It has been used for centuries in classical and folk genres, offering a resonant, rich sound.
Kamaycha
The Kamaycha is a string instrument from India, featuring nineteen strings played with a bow while held vertically. This chordophone is used in Rajasthani folk music and dates back centuries, with its distinctive deep resonance making it a favorite for accompanying narrative songs and dances in regional festivals.
Kamele Ngoni
The Kamele Ngoni is a West African harp with a gourd resonator covered in sheepskin, strung with 14 strings. It is played by plucking and is classified as a chordophone. Found primarily in Burkina Faso and Mali, it has been used for generations in traditional Manding music, offering soothing and rhythmic sounds.
Kane
The Kane is a large metal gong from Japan, played by striking with a mallet to produce deep, resonant tones. This idiophone is a crucial element in Buddhist ceremonies and has been used for centuries to signify the passage of time during religious rituals. Its sound adds a meditative quality to temple music.
Kanganu
The Kanganu is a tall, narrow barrel drum from Ghana, typically played by striking with hands. As a membranophone, it plays a key role in traditional music and dance, particularly in the energetic rhythms of Ewe drumming ensembles. Its origins are deeply rooted in West African musical heritage.
Kalimba
The Kalimba, or thumb piano, consists of a wooden board with metal tines, plucked to produce melodic sounds. This African lamellaphone is most commonly associated with Zimbabwe, where it has been used for centuries in both spiritual and entertainment music. Its light, tinkling sound is popular in modern African music as well.
Kanjira
The Kanjira is a small tambourine with a single head, played with the hands. It is a membranophone used in South Indian classical music, particularly in Carnatic performances. Dating back several centuries, the instrument is central to percussion ensembles, providing complex rhythmic support.
Kankle
The Kankle is a lap zither with strings stretched over a wooden soundboard, plucked to produce melodic lines. This chordophone originates from Lithuania and is related to other Baltic zithers like the kokle and kantele. The instrument has been used in Lithuanian folk music for generations, accompanying traditional songs and dances.
Kantele
The Kantele is a Finnish zither with 40 strings, played by plucking or strumming. It is classified as a chordophone and has been a central part of Finnish folk music for centuries. The instrument’s bright and melodic sound is featured in many traditional performances, often accompanying vocalists or solo instrumentalists.
Kanun
The Kanun is a trapezoidal zither with 72-75 strings, played by plucking with plectra attached to the fingers. As a chordophone, it is common in Middle Eastern music and has been used for centuries in both classical and folk traditions. The Kanun’s unique sound is a key feature in orchestral and solo performances across the Arab world.
Karamudza
The Karamudza is a Greek double-reed wind instrument, sometimes played in pairs, and resembles a short oboe. As an aerophone, it produces a piercing sound and is used in traditional Greek music, dating back centuries. This instrument is common in folk dance music, particularly in rural settings.
Karataky
The Karataky is a double-headed cylindrical drum from southern Madagascar, played with the hands or sticks. As a membranophone, it is used in traditional Malagasy music to create rhythmic patterns. The instrument has been passed down through generations and is commonly played in ceremonial and celebratory contexts.
Karimba
The Karimba is a Zimbabwean thumb piano with a wooden plate and a semicircular amplifier, plucked to produce sound. This lamellaphone has a rich history in African music and is often used in spiritual and folk settings, providing melodic and rhythmic support in ensembles.
Karinyan
The Karinyan is a small ribbed iron pipe, struck with an iron bar to create a high-pitched ringing sound. This idiophone is native to Mali, where it is played by female jeli (poet singers) in traditional ceremonies. The instrument’s sharp sound is often heard in West African performances, accompanying storytelling and music.
Karkabas
The Karkabas are large metal double castanets made from iron or steel, played by clapping them together. As an idiophone, they are central to the music of the Gnawa people in Morocco, where they have been used for centuries in spiritual and celebratory performances. The metallic clatter adds a percussive layer to traditional songs.
Kaval
The Kaval is a long, end-blown flute from Bulgaria, Albania, and Macedonia, made from wood or metal. This aerophone is held at an oblique angle and played by blowing across the sharp edge, producing rich overtones. It has been used for centuries in Balkan folk music, often accompanying dances and vocal performances.
Kawala
The Kawala is a six-hole cane flute from Egypt, played by blowing into the open end while covering the finger holes. As an aerophone, it is used in Egyptian folk music and religious Sufi traditions, with roots stretching back several centuries. Its soft, airy sound is ideal for melodic improvisation.
Kayagum
The Kayagum is a Korean 12-string zither, plucked to create delicate melodies. This chordophone, also known as the gayageum, has been used in traditional Korean music for over a thousand years, including court, folk, and contemporary music. Its flexible sound makes it adaptable for various styles, from classical to modern interpretations.
Kedumbak
The Kedumbak is a double-headed cylindrical drum made from tree bark, with one side struck by hand and the other with a stick. This membranophone originates from Sarawak, Malaysia, where it is traditionally used in Iban music and ceremonies. It has been a key rhythmic element in local folk music for generations, often accompanying dance and celebrations.
Keleli
The Keleli is a long-necked lute with two or three strings, played by plucking. This chordophone comes from Chad and is commonly used in Saharan folk music. It is an ancient instrument, passed down through generations, contributing to traditional rhythms and melodies in nomadic cultures.
Kei
The Kei is a large gong used in Japanese Buddhist ceremonies, struck with a mallet to produce deep, resonant tones. As an idiophone, it has been part of religious rituals for centuries, its sound signifying key moments during meditation and worship. The instrument’s deep vibrations are integral to the spiritual atmosphere in temples.
Kendang
The Kendang is a Balinese drum, double-headed and played with both hands to produce complex rhythms. This membranophone is central to traditional Indonesian music, especially in gamelan ensembles. It has been part of Balinese and Javanese culture for centuries, often used in religious and ceremonial performances.
Kengirge
The Kengirge is a large frame drum from Tuva, made from goat skin stretched over a wooden frame. Played by tapping with fingers or a mallet, this membranophone is key to Tuvan throat singing traditions, accompanying the unique vocal styles of the region. The instrument’s history is closely tied to Tuvan shamanic rituals and folk music.
Kenken
The Kenken is a metallic bell attached to the side of a dunun drum, played by striking it with a metal rod. This idiophone is common in West African music, particularly in Guinea, where it plays a rhythmic role in drum ensembles. Its distinct metallic clink adds texture to traditional dance and ceremonial performances.
Kete Drums
The Kete drums are a set of four differently sized drums from Ghana, used in the traditional music of the Ashanti people. As membranophones, they are played with sticks and hands to produce varying tones that accompany royal and communal events. These drums have been used for centuries in both ritual and recreational settings.
Kettle Drum
The Kettle drum, also known as timpani, is a large, hemispherical drum made from copper or brass, with a skin stretched over the top. Played with mallets, it is classified as a membranophone and is widely used in orchestral music. Its origins trace back to ancient Middle Eastern cultures, though it has been a staple in Western classical music since the Renaissance.
Khan Be
The Khan Be is a reed mouth organ native to northeastern Thailand and Laos, consisting of bamboo reeds played by blowing into a mouthpiece. This aerophone has been used for centuries in traditional Isaan music, where it produces harmonies that accompany folk songs and dances. Its use extends into Vietnamese highland music as well.
Khartal
The Khartal is a pair of lightweight wooden blocks played by clapping together in rhythmic patterns. This idiophone is widely used in Indian folk and devotional music, particularly in Rajasthan, where it has been part of the local musical heritage for centuries. Its sharp, percussive sound complements vocal and instrumental performances.
Khomus
The Khomus is a Tuvan jaw harp, made of metal and played by plucking the reed with the fingers while holding the instrument against the teeth. This idiophone is common in Tuvan and Siberian music, often accompanying throat singing. The instrument dates back centuries and is integral to the region’s folk traditions.
Kidi
The Kidi is an Ewe stick drum from Ghana, played with two wooden sticks to produce sharp, punctuated rhythms. As a membranophone, it is key to the polyrhythmic drumming traditions of West Africa, particularly in ceremonial and communal music. Its history is deeply intertwined with Ghanaian cultural and musical practices.
Kinnor
The Kinnor is an ancient Israelite lyre, played by plucking its multiple strings with the fingers. Classified as a chordophone, it is mentioned in biblical texts and has been used in Jewish worship and celebrations for millennia. The instrument’s design and role in religious music date back to antiquity.
Kiroba
The Kiroba is a form of musical sound play using water, originating from the ‘Are’are people of the Solomon Islands. This idiophone involves striking or moving hands through water to create rhythms, used in ceremonial contexts. The tradition has been passed down for generations, embodying the unique environmental soundscape of the region.
Kissar
The Kissar is a box-shaped lyre from Egypt, plucked with the fingers to produce melodic tones. As a chordophone, it has ancient roots and is still used in religious and folk music in North Africa and the Middle East. Its historical significance dates back to Pharaonic times, where it was used in both secular and sacred performances.
Ki Un Ki
The Ki Un Ki is a long bamboo wind instrument from Siberia, played by inhaling and exhaling to create varying pitches. Classified as an aerophone, it is used by the Udegeys people in traditional music and ceremonies. The instrument is thought to be several hundred years old and reflects the shamanic traditions of Siberian tribes.
Kkwaenggwari
The Kkwaenggwari is a small, flat gong played with a mallet, commonly used in traditional Korean music. This idiophone produces a sharp, metallic sound and is essential in samulnori, a genre of Korean percussion music. It has been part of Korean cultural and religious music for centuries, often accompanying festivals and rituals.
Klapites
The Klapites is a simple wooden clapper from Latvia, played by striking two pieces of wood together. This idiophone is used in traditional Latvian folk music, providing rhythm to dance and vocal performances. The instrument has been part of Baltic musical traditions for centuries, contributing to festive and communal celebrations.
Klarino
The Klarino is the Greek version of the clarinet, played by blowing through a mouthpiece and manipulating the keys to produce varied notes. As an aerophone, it is central to traditional Greek music, particularly in folk dances and festivals. The clarinet became popular in Greece in the 19th century and remains a key instrument in modern regional music.
Kloboto
The Kloboto is a short, open-bottom barrel drum from Ghana, played with the hands to create complex rhythms. This membranophone is part of the Ewe drumming ensemble and has been used for centuries in traditional dance and ceremonial music. Its deep, resonant tones contribute to the layered, polyrhythmic sound of West African percussion.
K’longput
The K’longput is a unique Vietnamese instrument made from large bamboo pipes of varying lengths, played by clapping air into the open ends. This aerophone is native to the Bahnar people of the central highlands and has been part of their musical culture for generations. It is typically used in ritual and communal music.
Kobsa
The Kobsa is a plucked lute, typically used in Eastern European and Middle Eastern music. This chordophone dates back centuries and is known for its warm, resonant sound. It has been a central instrument in folk music, often used to accompany vocalists and other instruments.
Ko-daiko
The Ko-daiko is a small Japanese drum, part of the taiko drum family, played with sticks. As a membranophone, it has been used in traditional Japanese music for centuries, especially in Buddhist ceremonies and festivals. Its sharp, rhythmic beats are key to taiko drum ensembles, adding a dynamic layer to performances.
Koza Podhalańska
The Koza Podhalańska is a traditional highlander bagpipe from Poland, played by blowing air into a bag and pressing it to force air through the reeds. Classified as an aerophone, it has been used in Podhale’s folk music for centuries, providing melodies for dance and storytelling. Its sound is integral to regional festivals and cultural celebrations.
Kokle
The Kokle is a lap zither from Latvia, featuring multiple strings that are plucked to produce melodic tones. As a chordophone, it is closely related to other Baltic zithers like the kantele and has been a part of Latvian folk music for centuries. It is typically played during traditional songs, dances, and ceremonial performances.
Koko
The Koko consists of wooden clappers, traditionally used by the Mbuti people of Central Africa. This idiophone is played by striking the pieces of wood together, creating a sharp, rhythmic sound. It has been part of Mbuti ceremonial music for generations, often accompanying dances and vocal performances in the rainforest regions.
Koliosnaya Lira
The Koliosnaya Lira is a Russian hurdy-gurdy, a mechanical string instrument played by turning a crank and pressing keys to change the pitch. This chordophone has been used since the Renaissance and was popular in Russian folk music and dance. Its distinct drone and melody combination create a unique soundscape.
Kologo
The Kologo is a two-stringed lute from northern Ghana, made from a calabash gourd covered with animal skin. This chordophone is plucked to produce rhythmic and melodic patterns in West African folk music. It has been played for centuries by griots, or traditional storytellers, during ceremonies and cultural events.
Komun-go
The Komun-go is a six-string zither from Korea, plucked with a bamboo stick to produce deep, resonant tones. This chordophone has been used for over a thousand years in Korean court and folk music, often accompanying vocalists or solo performances. It remains a central instrument in traditional and modern Korean music.
Komuz
The Komuz is a three-stringed lute from Kyrgyzstan, played by plucking the strings with the fingers. This chordophone is a key part of Kyrgyz folk music and has been used for centuries in nomadic cultures. The instrument accompanies traditional songs and dances, often played by traveling musicians.
Kondi
The Kondi is a thumb piano from Sierra Leone, made from a wooden board with metal tines that are plucked to create melodic tunes. This lamellaphone, used by the Temne ethnic group, has been part of West African music for centuries, often used in spiritual and communal music. It is also known as kututen or bundoma in other regions.
Konghou
The Konghou is a Chinese harp with a range of 16 to 21 strings, played by plucking with the fingers. This chordophone has been used for thousands of years in Chinese classical music, often in court and religious performances. It has a rich, resonant sound that contributes to the ancient and modern Chinese musical repertoire.
Konkovka
The Konkovka is a Slovak overtone flute, made from a single piece of wood and played by altering the airflow to produce harmonic tones. This aerophone has roots in Slovak folk music and has been used for centuries in rural cultural practices. Its haunting sound is ideal for solo performances or in folk ensembles.
Koni
The Koni is a small traditional lute with four strings, shaped like a teardrop, and found in Gambia and Mali. This chordophone is played by plucking and has been part of West African musical traditions for centuries. It is often used in storytelling, griot performances, and ceremonies, particularly in Manding cultures.
Ko Ni
The Ko Ni is a stick fiddle from Vietnam, featuring two strings and played by bowing or plucking. This chordophone originates from the Jarai people in the central highlands and has been adapted into Vietnamese traditional music. The player’s mouth acts as the resonator, adding tonal color, and the instrument has been used for generations in folk music.
Kono
The Kono is a strummed lute from Ghana, typically made from wood and played with the fingers. As a chordophone, it has been used in traditional West African music for centuries, often accompanying vocalists in ceremonies or storytelling performances. Its rhythmic sound is vital in dance music and communal celebrations.
Kontingo
The Kontingo is a traditional West African lute, with two or more strings stretched over a gourd body covered in animal skin. This chordophone, also known as the ngoni or xalam, is central to griot music, where it has been used for centuries in ceremonies and praise singing in Gambia, Senegal, and Mali.
Kopuz
The Kopuz is a short lute from Central Asia, particularly among Turkic peoples, and is played by plucking. This chordophone has ancient origins and has been used in folk and nomadic music for centuries. It is related to other lutes in the region and has influenced the development of modern instruments like the saz.
Kora
The Kora is a 19-string harp-lute from West Africa, with a large gourd body covered by animal skin. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings with both hands, producing melodic and harmonic lines. It has been central to Mandinka music for centuries, often played by griots in storytelling and ceremonial contexts.
Korholt
The Korholt is a short reed instrument from Renaissance Germany, played by blowing into the reed and covering holes to change pitch. This aerophone was used in early European music ensembles and has been part of classical music traditions since the Renaissance.
Korintsana
The Korintsana is a shaker or rattle from Madagascar, typically made from bamboo or tin cans filled with dried beans. As an idiophone, it has been used in Malagasy folk music for generations, adding rhythmic texture to traditional songs and dances.
Korng Tauch
The Korng Tauch is a small circle of gongs from Cambodia, played with mallets to create melodic patterns. This idiophone is used in traditional Khmer music, particularly in religious and court ceremonies. It has been part of Cambodian cultural music for centuries.
Korng Thomm
The Korng Thomm is a larger version of the gong circle found in Cambodia, played in a similar way to the Korng Tauch. This idiophone is also central to Cambodian traditional music, often used in ceremonial and religious performances, with a history going back several centuries.
Koryaga
The Koryaga is a one-stringed instrument from Russia, where the string is stretched across a curved branch and played with a bow. This chordophone was invented in the 20th century by Moscow designer Uri Balashov and is used in folk and contemporary music, with the player adjusting the pitch by bending the string.
Kosha Kosha
The Kosha Kosha is a rattle from Mozambique, shaken to produce rhythmic patterns in traditional African music. As an idiophone, it has been used in Mozambique for centuries, accompanying dances and ceremonies with its distinct sound.
Kös
The Kös is a large Turkish kettle drum, traditionally made from metal or fiberglass and struck with mallets. This membranophone has been used in Turkish military and ceremonial music for centuries, producing a deep, resonant sound that adds gravitas to processions and important events.
Koto
The Koto is a 13-string zither from Japan, laid horizontally and plucked with picks worn on the fingers. This chordophone has been a key instrument in Japanese traditional court and folk music for centuries, often used in traditional ceremonies and contemporary music performances. Its long, resonant tones are central to Japanese classical music.
Kotsuzumi
The Kotsuzumi is a small Japanese hand drum, played by striking the drumhead with the fingers. This membranophone has been part of Japanese theater music, particularly Noh and Kabuki performances, for centuries, providing rhythmic accompaniment to dramatic storytelling.
Kpaningbo
The Kpaningbo is a large wooden xylophone from South Sudan, played by striking the wooden keys with mallets. As an idiophone, it is used in traditional South Sudanese music, especially in trance and ritual performances, where it has been a cultural instrument for generations.
Kpanlogo
The Kpanlogo is a barrel drum from Ghana with pegs and an animal skin drumhead, played with sticks or hands. This membranophone is central to West African traditional music and dance, particularly in Accra, where it has been used for decades in social and communal gatherings.
Kpoko-Kpoko
The Kpoko-Kpoko is a double-ended wooden bell rattle from Nigeria, shaken to create a rhythmic clacking sound. This idiophone is used in Nigerian traditional music and has been a part of communal celebrations and rituals for generations.
Krar
The Krar is a six-string bowl-shaped lyre from Ethiopia, plucked with the fingers to produce harmonic tones. This chordophone has ancient roots in Ethiopian music and is often used in folk and religious ceremonies, adding melodic accompaniment to traditional songs.
Khse Diev
The Khse Diev is a one-string lute from Cambodia, played by plucking the metallic string attached to a gourd resonator. As a chordophone, it is used in traditional Cambodian folk music, particularly in rural settings, where it has been passed down for generations.
Kucheng
The Kucheng is a 16 or 21-string zither from China, plucked with the fingers to produce melodic lines. This chordophone is currently the most popular traditional Chinese instrument, used in classical and contemporary music across China and Taiwan.
Kugikly
The Kugikly is a reed panpipe from Russia, made from various lengths of reed pipes and played by blowing across the tops to create harmonic tones. This aerophone has been part of Russian folk music for centuries, providing melodic accompaniment to rural songs and dances.
Kulintang
The Kulintang is a set of kettle gongs arranged in a row and played with mallets, found in the Philippines. This idiophone is used in traditional Filipino music, particularly in the southern regions, where it has been a staple in ceremonial and social music for centuries.
Khulsan Khuur
The Khulsan Khuur is a Mongolian bamboo mouth harp, played by plucking the reed while holding the instrument in the mouth. This idiophone is used in traditional Mongolian music and has been part of nomadic cultural practices for centuries, often accompanying throat singing.
Kultrun
The Kultrun is a sacred drum used by the Mapuche people of Chile, played by striking the drumhead with sticks or hands. This membranophone is deeply connected to indigenous Mapuche spiritual and ceremonial practices and has been part of their culture for centuries.
Kum
The Kum is a seven-string zither from Korea, plucked to produce melodic tones. As a chordophone, it has been used in Korean court music for centuries and remains an important instrument in traditional and contemporary performances.
Kumi-daiko
Kumi-daiko refers to a taiko drum ensemble from Japan, with each drum in the group played with sticks to create complex rhythmic patterns. These membranophones are used in traditional Japanese festivals, religious ceremonies, and modern performances, drawing on a history that spans over a thousand years.
Kundu
The Kundu is an hourglass-shaped drum from Papua New Guinea, played by striking with the hands. This membranophone is used in traditional Papua New Guinean ceremonies and dances, often accompanying ritual chants and communal celebrations.
Kupurra
The Kupurra is a drum from Mozambique, played by striking the drumhead with the hands or sticks. This membranophone is used in traditional Mozambican music, particularly in dance and ceremonial performances.
Kurai
The Kurai is a long flute made from grass, originating from the Bashkir people of Russia. This aerophone has been used for centuries in Bashkir folk music, offering a haunting, airy sound that accompanies rural songs and dances.
Kuri-nuki-daiko
The Kuri-nuki-daiko is a drum carved from a single log, originating in Japan. This membranophone is used in traditional Japanese festivals and ceremonies, where it has been played for centuries to provide powerful rhythmic accompaniment to dances and processions.
Kurukutu
The Kurukutu is a small hourglass-shaped drum from Ghana, with goat skin and a gut snare. Played with leather sticks, this membranophone is used in traditional Hausa music, providing a sharp, snare-like rhythm in dances and ceremonial performances.
Kutiriba
The Kutiriba is a medium-sized drum from the Mandinka people of Gambia and Senegal, played with one hand and a short stick. As a membranophone, it has been part of West African traditional music for centuries, particularly in ceremonial and religious contexts.
Kutirindingo
The Kutirindingo is a smaller version of the Kutiriba drum, also from the Mandinka people, played in a similar manner. This membranophone adds rhythmic texture to traditional Manding music, particularly in ensemble performances during ceremonies.
Kyey Naung
The Kyey Naung is a large brass gong from Myanmar, played by striking with a mallet to produce a deep, resonant tone. As an idiophone, it is used in traditional Burmese music, particularly in religious and ceremonial settings.
Kyey Se
The Kyey Se is a triangular brass gong from Myanmar, played with a mallet to create sharp, metallic sounds. This idiophone has been used in Burmese music for centuries, often accompanying traditional dance and religious ceremonies.
Kyl-kyjak
The Kyl-kyjak is a two-stringed fiddle from Kyrgyzstan, played with a bow made from horsehair. This chordophone has been used for centuries in Kyrgyz folk music, where it is often played by performers to mimic the sounds of nature and humans in nomadic storytelling traditions.
