A traditional Welsh stringed instrument played with a bow, similar to a medieval fiddle or lyre.
From Welsh 'crwth,' possibly from a Proto-Celtic root meaning 'curved' or 'bent,' referring to the instrument's shape. The spelling preserves Welsh pronunciation with the unusual 'wth' cluster.
The crwth is unique because it survived the Norman conquest of Wales—while English replaced Celtic instruments everywhere else, Welsh musicians kept this medieval technology alive for 800+ years.
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