What is the history of tiklos?

Tiklos are traditional Hungarian stringed instruments, similar to a dulcimer, played by plucking the strings with a plectrum or with bare fingers. They are made of a wooden box with metal or gut strings stretched across it, and are traditionally played in pairs, with one instrument tuned an octave higher than the other.

Tiklos have a long history in Hungarian folk music, and were used as early as the 16th century, possibly being descended from the ancient Greek instrument, the psaltery. They are believed to have been introduced to Hungary by the Ottoman Turks during their occupation in the 16th and 17th centuries. Tiklos became increasingly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, when they were used in traditional folk music, and were also adopted by classical composers such as Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms.

In the 20th century, tiklos continued to be used in Hungarian folk music and were also incorporated into other genres such as jazz and rock. They gained international recognition in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, thanks in part to the work of Hungarian folk musicians such as Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók.

Today, tiklos remain an important part of Hungarian folk music, and are also used in a variety of other genres. They are popular among both traditional and contemporary musicians, and are increasingly being used by musicians around the world.