热瓦甫

如果说“弹拨尔”是一种极富魔力的乐器，那么“热瓦甫”则是最为普及的乐器了。

热瓦甫的起源与历史

热瓦甫，又称拉瓦波、喇巴卜，产生于公元14世纪，至今已有600多年的历史。据毛拉·艾斯木吐拉穆吉孜的《乐师史》记载，热瓦甫起源于南疆喀什。不仅深受维吾尔族喜爱，它也是塔吉克族和乌孜别克族等少数民族青睐的弹拨乐器。

世界最大的民族乐器——热瓦甫

热瓦甫多为木制，外形独特：上部是细长的琴身，顶部弯曲，最下方是一个半球形的共鸣箱，琴面用驴、羊或蟒皮蒙裹，有5-7根弦。通常用最外一弦弹奏旋律，其余各弦作为共鸣弦。其音乐音色清亮、纯净，表现力极强，因此多用于独奏。热瓦甫不仅音韵美妙，外形也美观大方，琴身镶嵌着牛角片或骨片，形成多样且规则的图案，展现浓厚的民族特色。

热瓦甫在新疆的维吾尔族、塔吉克族和乌孜别克族中有不同的外观和名称。

维吾尔族的热瓦甫种类

维吾尔族的热瓦甫种类丰富，分为喀什热瓦甫、新型热瓦甫、多朗热瓦甫和牧羊人热瓦甫等。喀什热瓦甫因流行于喀什一带而得名，其音色柔和委婉，虽然音量较小，但音质细腻。

节日的欢乐——弹奏热瓦甫

新疆的塔吉克族称热瓦甫为“热布卜”，是他们最普遍的弹弦乐器，主要流传于新疆西南部的塔什库尔干塔吉克自治县及邻近的莎车、泽普、叶城和皮山等地。塔吉克族热瓦甫多用杏木制成，外形与维吾尔族的多朗热瓦甫相似，全长70厘米，琴箱较大、呈扁圆形，琴面多用牛、马或驴皮覆盖。演奏时使用杏木、梨木、牛角或化学拔片，音色丰富，旋律多变，适合独奏与合奏。此外，塔吉克族还有一种小型儿童用热布卜，称为“热布卜乔”。

乌孜别克族的热瓦甫

乌孜别克族的热瓦甫源于中亚，据说在20世纪50年代由苏联传入喀什。乌孜别克族热瓦甫和喀什热瓦甫的外形相似，共鸣箱较大，琴颈较宽，设有5条琴弦，全部采用钢丝弦。主奏弦定为d音，3条共鸣弦定为d、a、a音。演奏时以主弦为主，偶尔弹扫共鸣弦，音量较大，音色明亮而浑厚，呈现独特的美感。

工艺美术品——热瓦甫

热瓦甫不仅是少数民族喜爱的乐器，还是一件精美的纯手工艺品。聪慧的维吾尔族民间艺人制作精细，稍微缩小体积后，色泽考究，造型精巧。钢丝弦仍可发音（虽不适合演奏），成为居家装饰、朋友馈赠及收藏的佳品。

Rawap

If we say "Tanbur" is an instrument capable of producing enchanting sounds, then "Rawap" is the most widely played instrument.

The Origin and History of Rawap

Rawap, also known as Lawapu or Lababu, originated in the 14th century and has a history of over 600 years. According to Maula Esmetullah Mujiz's History of Musicians, Rawap originated in Kashgar, southern Xinjiang. It is not only cherished by the Uyghur people but also loved by other ethnic minorities, including the Tajik and Uzbek people, as a plucked instrument.

The World’s Largest Folk Instrument—Rawap

Rawap is mostly made of wood with a unique design: the upper part is a slender neck with a curved top, and the lower end is a hemispherical resonator covered with donkey, sheep, or python skin. It usually has 5-7 strings, with the outermost string used to play the melody while the others act as sympathetic strings. The instrument produces a bright and pure tone with strong expressiveness, which is why it’s often used in solo performances. Rawap is not only melodically enchanting but also visually appealing, with inlays of horn or bone pieces forming varied, symmetrical patterns that display a strong ethnic style.

Rawap varies slightly in appearance and name among Uyghur, Tajik, and Uzbek communities in Xinjiang.

Types of Rawap Among Uyghur People

Among the Uyghur people, there are several types of Rawap, including Kashgar Rawap, New-style Rawap, Dolan Rawap, and Shepherd Rawap. Kashgar Rawap, named for its popularity in the Kashgar area, produces a soft sound with a gentle tone. While its volume is relatively low, the sound is delicate and nuanced.

Festive Joy—Playing the Beloved Rawap

Among the Tajik people in Xinjiang, Rawap is known as "Rebub" and is the most commonly used plucked instrument. It is mainly found in Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County in southwestern Xinjiang and surrounding areas like Shache, Zepu, Yecheng, and Pishan. Tajik Rawap is often made from apricot wood and resembles the Uyghur Dolan Rawap, with a length of 70 cm. It has a larger, flatter resonator, often covered with cow, horse, or donkey skin. It’s played with plectrums made from apricot wood, pear wood, horn, or synthetic materials, producing a rich tone with dynamic melodies suitable for solo and ensemble performances. Additionally, there is a smaller Rebub specifically for children called the "Rebub Qio."

Uzbek Rawap

Uzbek Rawap has its roots in Central Asia and was introduced to Kashgar in the early 1950s from the Soviet Union. Uzbek Rawap and Kashgar Rawap are similar in appearance, but the Uzbek Rawap has a slightly larger resonator and wider neck, with five steel strings. Two main strings are tuned to D, and the three sympathetic strings are tuned to D, A, and A, forming an octave with a pure fifth in the middle. The main strings are played, while the sympathetic strings are occasionally strummed to produce a bright, resonant tone with a unique richness.

A Handcrafted Artwork—Rawap

Rawap is not only a cherished plucked instrument but also a finely crafted piece of folk art. Skilled Uyghur artisans, while maintaining the traditional craftsmanship, create smaller Rawaps with polished finishes and intricate designs. Although the steel strings can produce sound, these smaller Rawaps are not intended for performance but rather serve as beautiful decorations, ideal gifts, and collectible items.