Khuur

The morin khuur, also called the horsehead fiddle, is a traditional Mongolian bowed string instrument with two strings and a distinctive carved horse’s head on the neck. It is closely associated with Mongolian nomadic culture and is widely regarded as a symbol of the country’s musical heritage. The instrument is used in solo performance, in ensembles, and to accompany throat singing and epic storytelling.

Historically, the morin khuur is one of Mongolia’s most enduring musical instruments. It developed in the pastoral societies of Inner Asia and remains central to ritual, ceremonial, and popular music. In modern times it is performed in folk ensembles as well as contemporary world-m music contexts, helping to preserve and transmit traditional Mongolian sound and technique.

Construction and design-wise, the morin khuur features a wooden soundbox, typically carved from a solid block of wood, with a skin or wooden front that acts as a resonator. It has a long neck ending in a carved horse head. The instrument carries two strings tuned in a fifth, and the bow is made of horsehair that is drawn between the strings. The left hand stops the strings on the fingerboard to produce different pitches, while vibrato and expressive bowing are common.

Playing technique and repertoire emphasize a bright, penetrating tone capable of articulate double stops and expressive slides. The morin khuur remains a focal element of Mongolian musical identity and continues to be taught to new generations both in Mongolia and among Mongolian communities abroad.