the Temirtau City Museum opened the exhibition "Tai-tuyak - a Kazakh percussion and noise musical instrument" as part of the "Exhibit of the Month" projec on April 13, 2026,.
The Kazakh people have over twenty types of traditional musical instruments. Each is unique in shape, sound, and purpose. One of the most unusual is the tai-tuyak. The name "tai-tuyak" translates as "foal's hoof" (tai means foal, tuyak means hoof).
The instrument was often used by girls and young women to accompany songs, including the bride's farewell song, "synsu." The tai-tuyak was used in both rituals and theatrical performances.
Originally, the tai-tuyak was made from real horse hooves, most often from a yearling foal. The hooves were sometimes covered with leather or connected with a leather strap to prevent the halves from being lost. The instrument was often decorated with the (ram's horns) pattern, turning it not only into a musical instrument but also into a decorative element.
For a long time, this instrument was considered almost forgotten. Its revival began in the 20th century thanks to the work of musicologists, particularly Bolat Sarybaev, who collected information from aksakals (elders) and reconstructed the instruments based on descriptions and archaeological finds, restoring the tai-tuyak to its rightful place in the cultural heritage of the Kazakh people.
