AMusical genreIndependent states
Kuy (küy)
The main genre of Kazakh instrumental music — a narrative piece for dombra or kobyz; every kuy tells a story.
A kuy is a wordless piece, yet almost every one has a story, legend or historical event behind it: a galloping horse, an eagle's flight, parting, battle. Performers often tell the story before playing.
There are great schools: the western (tökpe) style of Kurmangazy and Dina Nurpeisova and the eastern (shertpe) style of Tättimbet and Sypatai. Kurmangazy's "Adai" and "Saryarka" are known worldwide.
The "Kazakh traditional art of Dombra Kuy" was inscribed on UNESCO's intangible heritage list in 2014, and kuy contests and festivals continue today.
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Updated: October 2, 2026