The Rababah is a primitive musical instrument, historically known in the northern regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It used to be a companion for the nomads during their gatherings and celebrations. Even today, it remains an integral part of the folk music culture in festivals and national celebrations within and beyond the Kingdom.
Rababah industry
The Rababah is crafted from simple tools available to desert dwellers like tree wood and goat skin. It holds significant value among desert dwellers for its ability to convey beautiful poetry with its melancholic tunes.
Rababah design
The Rababah is divided into several parts: the stem, a lengthy stick referred to as the Rababah's neck, which serves as the anchor for the Rababah string, along with a fixed Rababah box at its base. The string itself is crafted from horsehair. At the upper extremity of the Rabbah, there's a groove where a peg is affixed, enabling the tightening of the string as it runs from the bottom of the stick through the box to the top. Wolfskin is considered one of the best and most valuable materials for crafting the Rabbah.
Types of Rababah
There are various types of Rababah, including al-Masahub, al-Hilali, al-Hajini, and al-Sakhri. The Rabbah bears resemblance to another instrument used on the western coast of the Kingdom called the Samsamiyya. It is crafted from beech wood, and its strings are thin steel wires tightened over a wooden box. Striking these wires produces music.
In an entertainment context, the Rababah appears as a cultural musical instrument in many local cultural festivals.
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