Rubab,
robab or
rabab (, , , ,
rubāb,
Tajik and
Uzbek рубоб) is a
lute-like musical instrument originating from central Afghanistan. It derives its name from the Arab
rebab which means "played with a
bow" but in Central Asia the instrument is plucked and is distinctly different in construction. The
rubab is mainly used by
Pashtun,
Tajik,
Turkish,
Kashmiri,
Baluch,
Azerbaijani, and
Iranian Kurdish classical musicians. Rabab is a national music instrument of Afghanistan.