kanuns
Kanuns are a family of plucked string instruments found in various musical traditions, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. The name "kanun" itself is believed to derive from the Greek word "kanon," meaning "rule" or "measure," hinting at its historical significance.
The instrument typically features a trapezoidal soundboard, across which a large number of strings are stretched.
Different regional variations of the kanun exist, differing in size, number of strings, and specific tuning