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Where does the word "dombra" come from? It comes from Kazakh dombıra, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
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Where does the word "dombra" come from? It comes from Kazakh dombıra, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
Dombra’s story begins in Kazakh: dombıra meant “two-stringed lute.” Played by the 'akyn' improvising poets of the steppe. It reached English by 1900s as dombra. Entered English through Kazakh music; Kazakhstan celebrates a national Dombra Day each July. Today, dombra means a long-necked two-stringed lute, the national instrument of Kazakhstan.
- Stage 1 · Kazakh · medieval dombıra "two-stringed lute", played by the 'akyn' improvising poets of the steppe.
- Stage 2 · English · 1900s dombra "Kazakh lute", entered English through Kazakh music; Kazakhstan celebrates a national Dombra Day each July.