I thought you may be interested to see these "banjos" made in NW China- in the Xiniang region. The photos were taken in Kashgar a couple of weeks ago. The instruments were all hand made- the bowls were carved out and necks shaped with adzes. I was impressive to see so much skilled work being done all by hand. I didn't get a chance to play one but they were impressive to look at and sounded great. If I could have managed to bring one home I would have. Most were two or three string.
The band was in a restaurant- they also had a violin style instrument that was constructed like their plucked instruments. All the instruments had goat/sheep skin heads- there is a lot of goat and lamb eaten here, so I imagine they have plenty of hides about.
The gentleman with the fine moustache turned out to be the floor show and danced.