Kamanja

The kamanja is a stringed instrument belonging to the fiddle family that is found in Arab traditions.  It is a type of rebab/spike fiddle with a round body that appears shishkabobed by the neck.  The body varies from being intricately carved to less complicated models with only two strings.  The body can be constructed from a simple coconut shell or more detailed wooden soundbox.  The body is covered with stretched skin, often goat or cow skin, the skin being glued down.  The neck is thick and the pegbox usually bears detailed carvings.    

On average, the instrument is about thirty inches from foot to neck.  There can be two to four strings (most commonly four) and they are tuned in fourths or fifths.  The range is limited and is barely over an octave.  The bow is slightly more curved than ones used for violin.  The musician remains seated while playing and rests the body of the instrument on his or her knee or on the floor.     

The kamanja's origin can traced to northern Persia.  Documentation of the instrument was made by 10th century music theorist and philosopher Al-Farabi.  The kamanja is still common in the Middle East and Central Asia.  The name and the instrument itself is widely spread.  Various locations in India and Asia have instruments resembling the kamanja and identified as rebab.  This instrument became widespread during the Ottoman Empire and is used for ensembles and solos.  

Instruments were imported and adapted and the European violin began to replace the Kamanja in urban music beginning in the late Ottoman period.  

This video shows a casual solo performance from the "Kamanja Man." 

This instrument is still respected today.  Here is a clip of a masterclass at Julliard demonstrating the kamanja. 

Here is a trio with two kamanjas and a baglama.  

This clip shows the nature of a kamanja in an ensemble setting.  This is also the only video I saw of the player standing instead of sitting.   

Here is a really wise looking gentleman demonstrating his skill.  

Resources: 

https://books.google.com/books?id=TMdf1SioFk4C&pg=PA908&lpg=PA908&dq=kamanja+instrument+history&source=bl&ots=1JwQuw2VZk&sig=f0530KBHEOJM2FvEYIGlBdrf_WM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwijlpL0iNLQAhXHTCYKHRZzDFEQ6AEIMzAE#v=onepage&q=kamanja%20instrument%20history&f=false

http://www.traditionalarabicmusic.com/Musical%20Instruments/Rebab.htm

https://books.google.com/books?id=j894miuOqc4C&pg=PA1531&lpg=PA1531&dq=kamanja+instrument&source=bl&ots=WNjnxoFeny&sig=avZmj684n7rjAenwkMw_2Nr7hkc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwilxZ6Sh9LQAhVD5SYKHVKYAbwQ6AEIUzAP#v=onepage&q=kamanja%20instrument&f=false