Nay Flutes (nai, nye, nay, gagri tuiduk, or karghy tuiduk)
and Kawla (Kawala)

Nay flutes - also known as nai, nye, nay, gagri tuiduk, or karghy tuiduk are the only wind instrument played in Arab music. They are considered to be the perfect wind instrument since their richly harmonic tone, mellow and slightly husky, more closely approximates the sound of the human voice than any other instrument. Despite their relatively simple construction, the nay flute's clear sound gives it a special place in the Arab-Muslim world as an orchestral and solo instrument. Nay flutes have seven holes - six fingerholes and a thumbhole - and is an endblown flute that has no mouthpiece, but only a lip rest.

The use of the nay flute by the Egyptians dates back to the third century B.C. The flute's name comes from the Persian word "ney", meaning reed. The nay flute's development is linked to that of Islamic civilization itself, in which it was both a popular as well as a serious and sacred traditional instrument. It is also very expressive not only of the daydreams of shepherds but also of classical aesthetic refinement or the mystical inspiration of the dervishes, Sufis and initiates of various Islamic denominations, including the "whirling dervishes" of Turkey. The Sufi and Dervish Islamic denominations in Turkey and Iran have used the nay to induce trance-like states of ecstasy since the 11th century.

The Kawla or Kawala - also called salamiya - is an end-blown cane flute used in Arabic music. It is similar to the nay flute but has six finger holes, while the ney has seven (including one in the back.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! Health and sanitary regulations prohibit the exchange or return for credit of any mouth blown instrument. In addition, because of shipping problems in the past, we no long ship Duduks outside the United States.