Saitul (pinyin: sài yī tǔ ěr) is a plucked musical instrument with distinctive features of the Tajik people. It is popular in Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and its adjacent places such as Shache, Zepu, Yecheng and Pishan.
The shape and structure of the Saitur is like a water scoop with a long handle, and its shape and structure are similar to those of the Uyghur Southern Xinjiang Dangbull popular in Kashgar. It consists of a sound box, a piano rod, a headstock, a peg, a bridge and strings.
When playing saitur, place the qin obliquely in front of your chest. The left hand holds the qin and presses the strings, and the right hand uses the index finger to strum the strings to pronounce, without finger plectrum.
Saitul mainly plays the main melody, the tones are rich in decoration, and the accompaniment of resonating strings is added. In addition to being able to play solo and ensemble, it is often used to accompany singing or dancing. It is one of the favorite instruments of the Tajik people.