Egypt
Arabs -Bedouin Musicians

Wood, gut string, leather
Mid 20th century
Length: 25 in
Chordophones – Lutes

The instrument name rebab is related to several bowed and plucked string instruments that were spread via the Islamic trading routes over North Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. There were three main types: The long necked bowed variety often referred to as spike fiddles; the short-necked double-chested or boat-shaped variant that could be plucked; and the pear-shaped body that became the rebec in western Europe.  

This bowed Egyptian rebab (rebaba, rababa) is of the long necked, spike fiddle type that comes from the Bedouin people mainly located in the Arabian Peninsula region and Egypt.  It has a wooden neck and tuning peg for the one gut string.  Animal hide is stretched across the frame on both sides and is attached with leather stitching.  The finial, neck, and tuning peg are ornately carved and at the bottom is a metal spike foot.  

The Bedouin are known for playing complex musical performances all within the limited range of just over an octave on this instrument.  The rebab is also used for accompanying Bedouin chanting.  This hand-crafted lute comes in many shapes and sizes, with some areas using two or three strings, but most common are the one string rebab.