The Tajik Rawap is a cousin to the ubiquitous Kashgar Rawap. It shares a similar goat horn adornment, as well as the basic string arrangement. This rawap is faced with cowhide and strung with silk. It's 8 strings deliver a robust sound, utilizing the sympathetic string technique common to many of our instruments.

Our Tajik Rawap is 89cm long, and the head is 20cm wide. It is decorated on the front and back with beautiful geometric patterns. You can see in the picture that this is not just an every day instrument. Our master craftsmen have taken the design and pattern from their Tajik neighbors, and applied their top-notch workmanship and experience to create this beautiful instrument.

In Central Asia, the rawap is the basic instrument. It can be seen at small gatherings on the farm or during long distance travel by camel. Recently, it has become an instrument through which the virtuoso musicians show their skill as well.

The history of the Rawap dates back nearly two millennia. The instrument consists of three main parts, the ear piece, handle, and the rawap head. The region is literally filled with lutes of all sizes and shapes. Please visit our store to see what other amazing instruments you might be interested in.

About Us

The instruments spend about 2 months in our shop from start to finish. All of our stringed instruments are hand made by an experienced team of master craftspeople according to Uyghur traditional style. Each instrument is built to order and unique. We have been selling instruments worldwide for 18 years from our headquarters in Kashgar, Xinjiang Province, China.

Our decorative wooden musical instruments are crafted with serious professionals in mind, but can also be enjoyed by collectors or any who enjoy traditional or rare musical instruments.

Each of our musical instruments is carefully packed into a custom built, sturdy wooden box to ensure its safe arrival at your home. For most intruments, please allow 20 to 30 days for priority shipping; express shipping is available as well.

We are eager to answer any questions you may have, please feel free to ask the seller.

Be sure to visit our store, The Camel's Back, for more exciting treasures from Central Asia.