AInstrumentIndependent states
Kamancha
A bowed string instrument and member of the mugham trio. The art of making and playing it became UNESCO heritage in 2017 through a joint Azerbaijani–Iranian nomination.
The kamancha is a string instrument held upright and played with a bow. Its small round body is made of walnut or mulberry and covered with thin skin, and a metal spike rests on the floor. Players change strings by turning the instrument rather than the bow.
With the tar and the gaval, the kamancha forms the classical mugham trio. Its mournful, almost vocal timbre follows and answers the singer.
"Art of crafting and playing with Kamantcheh/Kamancha" was inscribed on UNESCO's intangible heritage list in 2017 through a joint nomination by Azerbaijan and Iran. Famous kamancha players include Habib Bayramov, Shafiga Eyvazova and Adalat Vazirov.
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Updated: October 1, 2026