The darbuka (doumbek) is a single-headed hand drum of characteristic goblet shape, made of clay, metal, or wood and covered with a thin membrane. Its sound is remarkably flexible: a strong palm-strike in the centre gives a low, booming “doum” tone, and quick finger-strikes at the edge give ringing, sharp “teks.”
The darbuka is one of the main percussion instruments of the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and the Balkans. Its playing accompanies dances (notably belly dance), songs, and celebrations. Virtuoso technique allows extraordinarily fast and complex rhythmic patterns. Light, ringing, and fiery, the darbuka remains to this day the living heart of the Middle Eastern rhythmic tradition, and in our time its sound is increasingly woven into world popular and ethno music as well.
