What Kazakh instrument is the progenitor of the classical violin?

There are lots of myths and legends about this instrument. According to Kazakh traditions, kobyz was created in the valley of the Syr Darya river. The nomads associate the appearance of kobyz with the name of Korkyt, a semi-mythical character who is considered the creator of the instrument, the first musician and composer. More reliable references to Korkyt are found among the ancient manuscripts of Turkic tribes. Researchers believe that the prototype of the legendary old man was the hero of the Oghuz epic, which is called Kitabi dede Korkud, that is, the book of Grandfather Korkyt. More details are in this release!