The dombra, also known as dombyra (Kazakh: домбыра), (Persian: دمبوره) is a long-necked musical string instrument used by the Kazakhs, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Nogais, Bashkirs, and Tatars in their traditional folk music.

[1][2] The dombra shares certain characteristics with the komuz and dutar instruments, such as its long, thin neck and oblong body shape.

The Kazakh dombyra has frets and is played by strumming with the hand or plucking each string individually, with an occasional tap on the main surface of the instrument.

[3] The Hazara, Turkestani, and Badakhshani damburas, commonly found in Afghanistan, are fretless[4] with a body and neck carved from a single block of wood, usually mulberry or apricot.

For example, the works of Aby Nasyr Al-Farabi refer to a tambur-like musical instrument similar to the dombyra.

The importance of the dombra in the culture of Kazakhstan was marked by including it in the Intangible Heritage register.

In November 2014, Dombra kuy was included in was registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

[citation needed] This instrument has become a part of an Internet phenomenon after a video clip from SuperStar KZ, the Kazakh equivalent of the Idol series, was posted on YouTube.