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1 of 253523 objects
Morin khuur 1960-64
Carved wood and horsehair | 100.0 x 28.0 x 8.5 cm (whole object) | RCIN 68685
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The morin khuur is a traditional Mongolian stringed instrument made up of a rectangular sound box and long neck surmounted by a carved horse's head, below which are two tuning pegs, resembling ears. The two strings are traditionally made of horse hair as are the strings of the bow. Morin khuur roughly translates as 'horse fiddle' due to the legends surrounding the origin of the instrument, based on beloved horses after their death being used to create the instrument which is also said to have a sound like a horse neighing; some of these stories date back to the 13th century and are part of the Mongolian cult of the horse. The instrument is sometimes played to accompany folk dances and the telling of stories; it has also been used to tame horses.
Due to the significance of the morin khuur in Mongolian heritage it has been placed on the UNESCO list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, in order to safeguard it for future generations.
This particular instrument is carved on the neck with stylised key pattern and angular twist patterns; the bow is similarly carved. -
Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Carved wood and horsehair
Measurements
100.0 x 28.0 x 8.5 cm (whole object)
68.0 x 7.0 x 2.0 cm (whole object)