Lute

Khushtar (Huxtar)

Uyghur Region, Western China
China

Mulberry/Aprico/Pine/Walnut Wood, MOP, String
ca. Mid 20th century

Length: 28"

The Khushtar (Huxtar) is a bowed lute most commonly played among the Uyghur people in the Xinjiang provence of Western China. It has 4 strings in 4 courses and is tuned G, D, A, E. Sometimes the Khushtar also has sympathetic strings. The Khushtar has a body made of staves like a lute or oud. These staves are usually made of mulberry or apricot wood. The soundboard is usually made of pine. The instrument will often have a carving of a bird on the top of the head scroll. The pegs are often made of walnut wood. The instrument is played upright on the knee, with the curved attachment on the end of the body resting on the knee itself.

Owner:
Catalog#: AS-CHLT-62

© Hartenberger World Music Collection