The komuz has been played by Kyrgyz people for over 2,000 years. It is a small, light instrument that nomadic people could easily carry on horseback across the steppe and up into the mountains. Because it is carved from a single piece of wood rather than glued together in parts, it is also very sturdy — it does not crack or warp in extreme cold or heat.
Komuz players are often asked to imitate the sounds of nature — a galloping horse, a river, the wind, or the call of a bird. Skilled players do this with rapid finger movements on the strings and by lightly touching parts of the strings to create different tones. It can sound almost like several instruments playing at once.
Traditionally, the komuz was played by minstrel storytellers called akyn, who would travel from village to village, playing their instrument and singing poems and stories — including parts of the great Manas epic. The komuz and the voice go together beautifully in Kyrgyz music.
Today, Kyrgyz children can learn komuz at music schools, and it is played at celebrations, festivals and concerts across the country. It has also been recognised internationally — UNESCO lists traditional Kyrgyz komuz music among the world's important cultural heritage.