instrument gallery logo
Rabab or Rebab - Afghanistan

The rabab is the national instrument of Afghanistan used in ancient court music, as well as modern day art and entertainment music. It has three main strings and a number of sympathetic strings over a hollow neck and a goat-skin resonator. It has a very deep body making it a bit awkward to hold. Rababs come in different sizes depending on the region they are found. The Afghan rabab is also found in northern India and Pakistan, probably due to the Afghan rule in those regions in the 18th Century. The rabab was the precursor to the Indian sarod, which is regarded as one of India's most important instruments.

Country: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir
Region: Central and South Asia
Type: rebab

Rabab -Afghani rebab
Rebab - Rabab
©  R. Raine-Reusch, May 2002