"Rebab tiga tali ("three stringed rebab", spike fiddle)"

This spike fiddle from Western Malaysia is played as part of a traditional healing ceremony. The ritual uses music, dance and dramatic dialogue to connect with the spirits responsible for a patient’s ailment.

Rabab

Asia

Malaysia

Western Malaysia

Instrument Data

Instrument Information

Title

Rebab tiga tali ("three stringed rebab", spike fiddle)

Alternative Title

Rabāb.

Accession Number

2101

Collection

MIMEd

Date Information

Date Made

Circa 1977

Period

20th century; 1970s; 1980s

Gallery Information

Gallery

Laigh Room

Case

Ritual instruments display

Maker Information

No information recorded.

Made In

Country

Western Malaysia

Description

Other Information

General usage of type: Used in Malaysian theatre and healing rituals.

Technical Description

Technical description: 3 strings, unfretted; sound-table of skin glued to body with nodule of unknown substance glued to the upper side of the soundboard; peg tuning; slim carved wooden bridge. Three carved pegs, inserted laterally into the neck, two on one side and one on the other. Bow: wooden bow, strung with coconut fibre, tensioned by fingers. Overall length: 757 mm Decoration: Carved and painted Kelantanese/Thai-style decoration on pegs and neck (blue, gold, black, green and red); side of body covered with woven band with red woollen tassels taped on. Playing accessories: lump of rosin stuck to sound table; cloth bag tied onto neck. General usage of type: Used in Malaysian theatre and healing rituals.

Provenance

on loan to the Collection.

Classification