Name of Object:

Rababa

Location:

Amman, Jordan

Holding Institution:

Jordan Museum for Costumes and Jewellery, Department of Antiquities

 About Jordan Museum for Costumes and Jewellery, Amman

Date of Object:

Early 20th century

Inventory Number:

72,198

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Wood, animals skin; handmade and hand painted

Dimensions:

Height 83 cm, width 18cm

Provenance:

Jordan

Description:

Four pieces of wood formed into a rectangular shape; the top and bottom are covered with animal skin and joined with goat’s intestines. The rababa is played with a bow consisting of an arched stick with horse hair. The rababa is a musical instrument widely used in the Bedouin tradition. Music played in communal setting is an essential part of the traditions in Bedouin communities for leisure at communal gatherings.

Citation of this web page:

Huda Kilani "Rababa" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;jo;15;en

Prepared by: Huda Kilani
Copyedited by: Daniel de la VegaDaniel de la Vega

Daniel de la Vega is a copy editor based in Portland, Oregon. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2014 and has since done editing and localization work on everything from college applications to magazines to video game dialogue.

MWNF Working Number: JO 015