Kui is a Kipchak instrumental musical composition performed with national plucked, bow and wind instruments such as dombyra, qobyz, syrnai, mostly with the plucked dombyra of the Kazakhs and Komuz of the Kyrgyzs.
In the 20th century, Kazakh Soviet musicians experimented with chorus performance of kuis.
For example, Kazakh folk Kui “aqsaq qulan” (lame onager) is dated to the 13th century.
Kui tradition included also verbal part that explained in detail the story for its compositions, personalities, reasons and legends.
Dombyra Kuis were formed in the result of centuries-old folk instrumental performance tradition.
that folks kuis may take their beginning from ritual worship acts of nomad tribes.
The themes of kuis are very different: from philosophic thoughts to the wildness of nature.
The other part of kuis is dedicated to events in the lives of kuishis or composers.
(Qurmangazy's Kui “Aman Bol Sheshem, Aman Bol” means "Take Care, Mama, Take Care"; Tattimbet's Kui “Kokei Kesti”, or internal disturbance; Dina's “Qaraqasqa At” means a dark horse with white spot on its head.
Another group of kuis is dedicated to the birds and animals: folks’ “Bozingen” means white female camel, Telkqonyr-which is the name of a horse; Ashimtai's “Qonyr Qaz” means “Brown Goose”; Sugir's Kui “Aqqu” means “White Wwan”.
Western tokpe kuis reflect dramatic events, give very strong aggressive associations.
These are composed according to its rules – a certain sequence of tone sets on the Dombyra neck.
They are free in the style and give very deep, gentle and soft associations.
The most prominent composers of tokpe kKuis are Qurmangazy, Dauletkerey, Qazangap, Abyl, Esir, Esbay, Dina, and Seitek.
Shertpe tradition is represented by Baizhigit, Tattimbet, Toqa, Dairabai, Sugur, Ryzdyq, Abiken, Tolegen and many others.
Gizatov B.. Social and esthetic basics of Kazakh folk instrumental music.-Alma-Ata, 1989.