Origins And History Of The Dulcimer

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dulcimer is closely related
to the yang ch'in from China. However, the yang ch'in was introduced to the
Chinese around 1800. A similar traditional dulcimer found its way to Korea in
about 1725. The dulcimer originated as the santir in what is now Iraq from a
Greek instrument, the psalterion. The santir was a trapeziodal box covered with
strings. It was played by striking the strings with light sticks. From there
the Arabs carried the santir through North Africa where it was integrated into
the Jewish culture. From North Africa it was taken to Spain, for a carving was
discovered in the cathedral Santiago de Compostela, dated 1184. It is unknown
why the Irish make mention of the timpan, a generic term for any member of the
psaltrey family, being used by St. Patrick in the 6th century, six hundred years
earlier than the dulcimers first introduction into Spain from North Africa.

Dulcimers gained popularity from the churches and cathedrals throughout the 14th
century. But in ...

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