【Musical Instrument】Rubob

Today, we will introduce you to a plucked instrument in Living Mythologies, the Rubob.

Rubbab, robab, rabab, Uighur: راۋاپ (rawap), Uzbek: рубоб (rubob), Chinese: 热瓦甫, is an Uyghur, Uzbek, Tajik stringed instrument. Popular in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and other countries. According to legend, it was created in the fourteenth century. According to Mullah Aismu Tulamuji, "The History of Musicians", the Rubob originates from Kashgar Rubob, which is popular among the people of southern Xinjiang and has a total length of 130 cm. The body is made of wood and the ears are hemispherical. They are covered with sheepskin, horses kin or other skins. The neck is slender and the top is curved. In the attached folk Uzbek song, "The Apricot Flower Opens" is performed by our member Ji Peng (纪鹏) while she is playing the Uzbek Rubob.

Different shapes and styles of Rubob

Northern Xinjiang Rubob

The shape, chording and playing style is different in different regions. According to regions, it can be divided into Kashgar, Northern Xinjiang, Huaiqiu, Hualang, Hualang, and Wulang Buick, and Afghan variants.