{{Short description|Algerian stringed instrument}} {{Infobox Instrument |name=Kwitra |image= Kwitra 01.jpg |image_size=200 |caption= Kwitra |names= Kouitra, quitra, quwytara |background=string |classification=String instrument |hornbostel_sachs= |hornbostel_sachs_desc=Composite chordophone |developed= |range= |related=Oud, mandolin, mandolute |articles= }} The '''kwitra ''' (also '' quwaytara'', ''kouitra'' and ''quitra''; in Arabic: ''الكوترة'' (a-kwitra)) is an Algerian stringed instrument, sometimes referred to as the Algerian lute.<ref>{{cite book |title= The Rough Guide to World Music: Africa & Middle East |author1=Simon, Broughton|author2=Mark, Ellingham. |name-list-style=amp |year= 2006|publisher= Rough Guides |page= 254 }}</ref><ref name=met>{{cite web |publisher = Metropolitan Museum of Art |title= Quwaytara, late 19th century, Moroccan |url= https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/501019?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&ft=lute&offset=120&rpp=20&pos=126 }}</ref> The instrument is tied to Andalusian musical traditions of Moorish people who were pushed out of the Iberian peninsula in the 15th century.<ref name=met/> That tradition has shrunk further; where the kwitra was once seen in Algeria, today it is mainly an Algerian instrument.<ref name=met/>
The literal meaning of kwitra in Algerian Arabic (and possibly in the extinct Andalusian Arabic) is "small guitar". It is a regional instrument in the lute family of instruments, related to Italian chitarra.<ref name=atlas>{{cite web|title=ATLAS of Plucked Instruments – Africa|url=http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/africa.htm|accessdate=10 March 2012}}</ref>
It has eight strings in four courses. It is tuned G3 G3, E4 E4, A3 A3, D4 D4.<ref name=grovevihuela>{{cite encyclopedia |editor-last= Sadie |editor-first=Stanley |entry= Quwaytara |encyclopedia= The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments |year=1984 |id= Volume 3 |page= 176|quote=... four pairs of strings ... typical Moroccan timing is G-e-A-d ...}}</ref> The traditional strings are made of animal intestines. They usually have a carved soundhole in the shape of a bowl or vase.
==Historically prominent musicians== *Cheikh Sfindja<ref name=famille>{{cite web|author= Azzouz El Houri |date=11 February 2006 |title=La famille du Oud|url=http://elhouriazzouz.over-blog.com/article-1850912.html|accessdate=10 March 2012}}</ref> *Mouzino<ref name=famille/> *Mohamed Ben Teffahi<ref name=famille/> *Ahmed Essabti<ref name=famille/> *Mohammed Bahar (recordings exist)<ref name=famille/> *Philippe Lourenço<ref name=famille/> *Faten Sioud<ref name=famille/> *Ahmed Echaytan<ref name=famille/>
==See also== {{see also|Lute#History and evolution of the lute}}
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == {{commons category-inline}} *[https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1ahrj Video. Mohammed Bahar playing the kwitra] *[https://m.soundcloud.com/redha-kouitra/mohamed-bahar-istikhbar-sana-a-la-kwitra Modern recording, kwitra being played in style of Mohamed Bahar.] * [http://stringedinstrumentdatabase.aornis.com/ The stringed Instrument Database] * [http://mario-scolas-727.skyrock.com/3210272585-el-kouitra.html El Kouitra] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003065453/http://mario-scolas-727.skyrock.com/3210272585-el-kouitra.html |date=2018-10-03 }} * [http://andalousia.over-blog.org/article-colloque-sur-le-oud-maghrebin-a-quatre-cordes-43957916.html Colloque sur le oud maghrébin à quatre cordes]
Category:String instruments Category:Algerian musical instruments