National musical instruments of the countries of the world

 Music does wonders and heals the heart and soul naturally. It has been called the life, soul, and heartbeat of an individual. And besides one’s vocals and singing, there are a string of musical instruments in the world that add to the richness of music. Most cultures in the world have a particular instrument that is used often by its people to make music. Some of these are recognized by its governments as national musical instruments whereas others are assumed to be so. So let is take stock of the various regional musical instruments around the globe. 

Musical instruments recognized as national instruments

Governments rarely officially name some musical instrument as its national musical instrument. But there are some nations that have done so. Paraguay has recognized its harp as its national musical instrument and similarly the Japanese have named their Koto as their national one. Trinidad has the Trinidadian steelpan as their official national musical instrument. 

Fiddle

In some countries such as Puerto Rica, their musical instrument of cuatro is commonly used but in some places such as Wales it is just a symbol. Welsh people have triple harp that is supposedly belonging to that region. On the other hand, in Finland, the Finnish Kantele was invented by intellectuals and nationalists in order to use it for nationalistic idea spread. 

Musical Instruments that could be considered as national instruments 

Country - Musical Instrument

Afghanistan - Rubab

Albania - Ciftelia Gajde Lahuta

Arab world - Oud

Madal

Argentina - Bandoneon, guitar

Armenia - Duduk

Asutralia - Didgeridoo

Austria - Bock

Azerbaijan - balaban

Buganda, Bantu kingdom within Uganda - endongo

Balochistan, Balochs - Suroz

Bangladesh - dotara

Bashkirs (Turkic) of Bashkortostan and Badzhgard - Kurai

Basotho - Lesiba

Bavaria - Zither

Bhutan - dranyen

Bolivia - Charango

Brazil  - Guitar, berimbau, pandeiro

Bulgaria - Gaida

China - Guqin, guzheng, pipa, yangqin

Colombia - Cuatro, triple colombiano

Costa Rica - Marimba

Corsica - cetera

Crete - lyra

Croatia - Tumburica and lijerica

Cuba - tres

Nose flute

Czech Republic - bock

Dagara ethic region of Ghana - gyil

Ecuador - Rondador

Egypt, ancient - Harp, sistrum

England - Concertina

Etruria, Italy (present day Tuscany, Lazo, and Umbria - Kithara

Finland - Kantele, violin

Fula of Fulani people of West Africa - tambin

Galicia, NW Spain - gaita

Germany - Waldzither, Gemrna lute guitar

Greece, ancient - Aulos, lyre

Greece, modern - bouzouki

Guatemala - Marimba

Hawaii - ukulele

Hungary - cimbalom

India - Veena

Indonesia - Angklung

Iran - tar

Ireland - Irish harp, great Irish warpipes, Uilleann pipes

Israel  - Kinnor

Italy - Mandolin

Japan - koto

Jewish community - shofar

Kazakhstan - dombra

Kenya - nyatiti

Khoekhoe, indigenous people of SW Africa - goura

Korea - gayageum

Kyrgystan - komuz

Lanna, Northern Thailand - Pin pia

Laos - Khene

Latvia  - Kokles

Lebanon - darbuka

Lithuania - Birbyne, kankles

Lobi, of Ghana - gyil

Madagascar - valiha

Mandinka, West Africa - balo

Maroons, Jamaica - abeng

Mexico - marimba

Mongolia - Morin khuur

Montenegro - gusle

Myanmar (old Burma) - Saung-guak

Nepal - madal

Netherlands - Fiddle

Nicaragua - marimba

Norway - Hardingfele, langeleik

Pakistan - dafli

Paraguay - harp

Peru - Cajon, charango

Philippines - bandurria

Polynesia - Nose flute

Portugal - Portuguese guitar

Puerto Rico - cuatro

Rome, ancient - tibiae

Russia - Garmon, balalaika, gusli, spoons (wooden)

Ryukyu islands, Japan - sanshin

Sakha Republic - Khomus

Scotland - Highland bagpipe

Serbia - Accordion, frula, gajda, gusle

Slovekia - Fujara

Sloveia  - accordion

South Africa - Vuvuzela 

Spain  - Guitar

Sweden - Drejelire, nyckelharpa

Swedish Estonia - Talharpa

Switzerland - Alphorn 

Trinidad and Tobago - Steelpan

Turkey - Saz

Turkmenistan - dutar

Tuva Republic - Igil, khomus, morin khuur

Ukraine - bandura

USA - Appalachian dulcimer, banjo

Uzbekistan - Doira, karnay

Venezuela - Cuatro, harp

Vietnam - Dan bau

Wales - Crwth, harp

Yugoslavia - Gusle

Zimbabwe - mbira

Read on chewable toothpaste