Gusli is an ancient musical instrument. The millennia of the history of mankind concealed from us both the age and place of their birth. In different countries and among different peoples, this tool was called differently. In Slavs, the name of this instrument, I think, is connected with the sound of the bowstring. The very bowstring that stretched on the bow.In ancient times, the elastic string of onions was called "gusla". Here is one of the hypotheses for the name of the instrument. And putting a hollow vessel to the string - we get a primitive musical instrument. So: strings and a resonator that enhances their sound is the main principle of this plucked instrument.
The fate of this instrument for a long time associated with the folk song and epic tradition. Masters - craftsmen for centuries passed on the secrets of making gusli. Goose jokes, songs of singers, were loved by both the people and the kings. But often folk singers unflatteringly sang about the authorities.