It is a staple part of Georgian folk music, and is ancient in origin, with early examples being in bone.

There are two main varieties, reeded and non-reeded, which require different techniques of crafting and playing.

The salamuri is a widespread wind musical instrument found in all regions of Georgia (especially in Kartli, Kakheti, Meskheti, Tusheti, Pshavi, and Imereti).

Relics obtained from archaeological excavations prove the existence of the salamuri in Georgia during ancient times.

These two kinds of salamuri differ in their timber, form, sound range and resonance.

The unreeded salamuri has a diatonic scale of one octave; however, this range can be somewhat extended by overblowing.

The unreeded salamuri is mainly used in parts of east Georgia (Kakheti, Kartli, Meskheti, Tusheti and Pshavi).

Despite the fact that the reeded salamuri is smaller than the unreeded one at 23–36 cm, it has a wider sound range and can be described as "richer-sounding."

The wood material for salamuri should be proportionally grown up, straight, carefully cut down and drilled from the beginning to the end.

The reeded salamuri seems to be originated a bit later than the unreeded one, and it was a popular folk instrument all over Georgia[citation needed].

Salamuri was an inseparable close friend of a farmer that cheered him up in times of sorrow and sweetened his merriments.

The parents’ faces are seen through its ashes and even the broken parts emit sweet tunes.

It has been traveling all over the world together with the spirited Georgian dances and has been spreading the sweet tunes of the Iberian salamuri.

In 1930 a bone salamuri (flute) was found together with other things in ancient burials of Samtavro in Mtskheta.

Additionally, it appears that it might be possible to issue 10 sounds from it, not by over-blowing, but by inclining the instrument in different angles.

Other items contained in this grave included earthenware, crockery, arms, clothes, and a talisman.