The Legend about Dombra

Good afternoon everyone,

Today I would like to share with you the beautiful power of Dombra. Dombra is Kazakh national instrument and is a huge part of our culture

There is a famous legend, 'Aksak Kulan' in Kazakh culture, which explains why Dombra looks like this.

Once upon a time the son of the Bai (big landowner) went hunting and when he sees a hurt baby onager, he aims to shoot it. The mother of the baby onager tries to protect her child, and crashes onto the son of the Bai. In a collision, the son falls off his horse and dies. Everyone, who has seen it, is afraid to tell about this accident to the Bai, because he threatened to fill the throat of anyone who brings him bad news with melted lead. One of the village akyns (musician) volunteers. When he comes to see the Bai, he starts to play on the Dombra; the language and the sadness of the music tell the story to the Bai. When the Bai tries to punish the akyn, the akyn said: "I didn't bring you bad news. I didn't even say a word...". After that Bai orders to punish the dombra, which previously had five strings. When the melted lead was put in the dombra, it left a round hole and only two strings.

You can also view the short cartoon on this legend, in the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxaCQDaq6no

I think it is a beautiful story, because it shows how without any words, music of dombra can transfer any meaning, feeling or a story.

One of my all time favorite Kazakh composers, is Kurmangazy. I believe that, just like the akyn in the legend, his music captures a lot of emotion

 Here is one of his beautiful songs:

I hope that this music touched your heart, as it did mine.

With Love,

Altynay