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Darabukka

late 19th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681
Darabukka is the Arabic term for this single-headed goblet shaped drum that is found In North African, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, South and Southeast Asia. It is known by many names such as dombek and zarb (Iran) and may be made of pottery or wood. The playing technique uses light and heavy strokes, rolls, and finger-snaps on different sections of the head to produce discrete sounds, articulation and rhythms. The drum may be held under the arm, hung from a strap and most often resting on the player's left thigh.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Darabukka
  • Date: late 19th century
  • Geography: Syria
  • Culture: Middle East
  • Medium: Clay, skin, wood
  • Dimensions: H. 16 15/16 × Diam: Head 7 11/16 × Bowl 11 × Base 7 1/16 in. (43 × 19.5 × 28 × 18 cm)
  • Classification: Membranophone-single-headed / goblet drum
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.333
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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