The rawap, a plucked lute with a skin-covered bowl

1Shape

The rawap is a variant of the rubab. The neck and body are sometimes carved from a single piece of mulberry wood. The opening of the body is covered with snakeskin, or with donkey or sheep hide. Some instruments have decorated goat horns mounted on the neck above the body, curving toward it; the neck is inlaid. The pegbox curves back sharply.

2Strings and playing

The strings are metal; sources give five, or anywhere from three to nine. With five, the outer two are tuned alike and carry the melody, and the other three accompany. Only some strings are struck with the plectrum; the rest sound in sympathy. The rawap often accompanies singing.

3Regional forms

The name, shape, size and playing of the rawap differ from region to region. The Kashgar rawap, for example, is about 90 centimetres long.