Origin

Although it is unknown and often disputed as to when the Balalaika was officially established as an instrument, it's lute-like roots resemble many East Asian stringed instruments such as the dombra and tanbur.  It is estimated that the Balalaika came into existence just before the 16th century, and up until the early 19th century it was performed by traveling jesters at weddings, festivals, celebratory activities, and even as a form of rebellion against authority.  In 1648, the Russian czar declared that the working peasant class would have restrictions imposed on them that included the performance of music, and that instruments were to be burned.  As a result of the restrictions, the balalaika became a secret house-hold instrument because it was easier to make a triangular-shaped body than a round one if a musician had been forced to abandon their original instrument for fear of persecution.

Finally, in the 19th century and in the spirit of Russian nationalism, the "Father of the Balalaika," Vasily Vasilyevich Andreyev, promoted the balalaika as the official instrument of Russia while modernizing it to play classical repertoire.  Soon enough, by the end of the 20th century, the balalaika became the distinctive visual symbol of Russian musical identity and today in Russian folklore, bears are often symbolized playing the balalaika.