Villagers in Kokjar were keen to perform traditional songs for the research team while we were in the village. They asked us to record the performances and include them in the project films.

Most of the performers in this film play a traditional three string ‘Komuz’. The Komuz is fretless guitar like instrument that is generally tuned to match the performers vocal range.

Most of the musicians in this film used the komuz as accompaniment for traditional melodic ballads, but it may also be used as solo melodic instrument or as a rhythmic  backing to support spontaneous ‘rap’ songs celebrating individual experiences or events. Competitions between performers are held at festivals and national events each year.