Morin Khuur — Lutherie Encyclopedia

Morin KhuurType: instrumentThe Mongolian horse-head fiddle, a two-stringed bowed instrument with a carved horse head scroll, central to Mongolian nomadic culture and musical identity.## History The morin khuur (Mongolian for "horse-head fiddle") is the national instrument of Mongolia and a profound symbol of Mongolian nomadic culture. The instrument's origins are shrouded in legend—one popular tale tells of a horseman who crafted the first morin khuur from the bones and mane of his beloved horse. Archaeological and historical evidence suggests the instrument has been played for at least a thousand years across the Mongolian steppe. The morin khuur accompanies the Mongolian long song (urtiin duu), throat singing (khöömii), and epic narrative traditions. In 2003, UNESCO proclaimed the tradition of Mongolian morin khuur music a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The instrument is revered in Mongolian society as a spiritual object as much as a musical instrument, and it traditionally holds a place of honor in the Mongolian ger (yurt). ## Construction The morin khuur has a trapezoidal wooden body, approximately 12 inches wide, with a soundboard of animal skin (traditionally camel or goat skin, though wood is used in some modern instruments). The neck is long and unfretted, approximately 40 inches overall, topped with a carved horse head—the instrument's most distinctive visual feature. Two strings are traditionally made from horsehair: the lower string from a male horse's tail (approximately 130 hairs) and the upper string from a female horse's tail (approximately 105 hairs). Modern versions may use nylon or synthetic strings. The bo…