This Uzbek Rawap is very similar to its cousin, the Kashgar Rawap. They differ in that the Uzbek version has a larger bowl, and smaller goat's horns. This instrument was made in Kashgar, using a slightly different pattern that was imported from neighboring Uzbekistan hundreds of years ago.

This high quality, handmade, traditional instrument has 5 strings and is approximately one yard (90cm) long. The Rawap is the most popular instrument among the Uyghur. In fact, it is a symbol of the Uyghur nation. It is easy to pick up and you will be playing yours in no time!

Only the front two strings are for performing melodies, whereas the rest are sympathetic strings that "sing along" to create an unbelievably rich sound. The front and back of the rawap is decorated colorfully with ethnic designs and it is strung with steel.

The Uyghur people are accustomed to taking their Rawaps wherever they go: From playing it on the farm to long distance travel by camel. It is also a standard part of the muqam ensemble, and is becoming a featured solo instrument.

By some accounts, the history of the rawap dates back 6000 years, and has changed surprisingly little since then. The instrument consists of three main parts, the ear piece, handle, and the rawap head. Notice the double goat's horn that adorns the face, this is a local specialty. In ancient times our Uyghur ancestors used to use stretched horse or donkey hide for the soundboard. Today, however, Snake Skin is used for the highest quality rawaps. In the Muqam Poster (available at The Camel's Back), you can see many rawaps in the ensemble.