The Rawap

Rawap, also called Qashqer Rawap, is the most popular instrument among the Uighur instruments and this instrument highly represents to the Uighur nation. The construction of rawap is very lovely, easy to use, so the Uighurs like to take it with them to the working place in the farm, while traveling, wherever they want, they play it when ever they want to have fun. The rawap is most easy to play, in a big gathering or traveling on a camel.

This is one of the most beautiful instruments that our great ancesters made, and it has most beautiful sounds. So the Uighurs like to play it in everyday life. Rawap has three main parts, ear place, handle, and rawap head. You will see the double goat's horn which shows it's beauty and local speciality to the world. In ancient times our ancesters used to the face horse or donkey skin but now snake skin used for the high quality rawap. Qashqer Rawap - also called Oyma rawap in ancient times. Commonly Qashqer Rawap is outfitted with 6-7 fixed strings. And the only front string for performing melody, the rest for returning ex-sounds. The ancient rawap made with three strings but the Qashqer Rawap has 5 strings now. To the face of Qashqer Rawap fixed bone or plastic national decorations and this instrument will be made by the most professional masters very carefully.

According to legend, it originated in Qashqer , in the 14^th century A.D..The folk Rawap in Qashqer is made of wood and the front of the sound box is covered with a piece of animal skin. It is 130 cm in length, with 1 main string , 4 resonance strings and 28 silk string-wound bridges on the stick. Its range is about two ottave. The instrument is used for solo, ensemble and accompaniment.

Similar musical instruments are Dolan Rawap, Bas Rawap( with three strings) and Caplima Rawap.