Traveling to the Rhythm of the Komuz, the Traditional Kyrgyz Instrument
The Kyrgyz have inherited a rich musical culture that will serenade your journey through the peaks and plains of Kyrgyzstan.
The Kyrgyz have inherited a rich musical culture that will serenade your journey through the peaks and plains of Kyrgyzstan. A gateway into the soul of this people, the komuz, whose name simply means "musical instrument," is the most widespread instrument in the country.
A symbol of Kyrgyz culture and tradition, it even has a national festival dedicated to it on September 9th. "The komuz holds a special place in the traditional culture of the Kyrgyz people," reads the decree that officially established this celebration in the summer of 2019. "The melodies of the komuz, called 'kuu,' which carry the philosophical thoughts, way of life and culture of the Kyrgyz and which are transmitted from generation to generation, have survived to this day."
The three-string instrument is traditionally carved from apricot wood, a tree that adorns the Issyk-Kul region and southern Kyrgyzstan. Played horizontally, it measures no more than 90 centimeters in length.
The Appearance of the First Komuz
A legend of the Kyrgyz people traces the creation of the first komuz to a story of love and seduction. In the mountains around Issyk-Kul Lake, a hunter fell in love with a beautiful young woman, radiant as the morning and with an enchanting voice. He was distraught, consumed by the sorrow of unrequited love, unsure how to approach the woman he wished to take as his wife. Sitting beneath an apricot tree, he suddenly heard a charming sound. The wind was pulling dried goat intestines caught in the tree's branches; he realized this was the source. It was then that he had the idea to carve an instrument in the shape of a teardrop from the trunk, bearing the colors of his grief. By playing it before the young woman, he finally won her heart.
Traditional songs, passed from generation to generation through the sound of voices and strings, tell of the journeys of the Kyrgyz people, their loves, their battles, and their nomads. A universal instrument, the Kyrgyz learn to play the komuz from their youngest years and take the stage in traditional dress, proud of their culture that endures. For the opening of the World Nomad Games in 2016, Kyrgyzstan offered the audience a spectacular performance: 1,000 musicians played their komuz to "Mash Botoi," a lively melody characteristic of nomadic life to the rhythm of camels and horses.
Through their national songs, the nomads have bequeathed to today's Kyrgyz a love of music, legends and history.
Frequently asked questions
The komuz is played at traditional festivals, in tourist yurts around Issyk-Kul Lake, and at cultural performances in Bishkek.
Yes, local artisans craft traditional komuz instruments from apricot wood. You can find them in Bishkek's bazaars and artisanal markets.
The komuz has only 3 strings, making it accessible to beginners. The Kyrgyz traditionally learn from childhood through oral transmission.
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