Darbuka Doumbek

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So, Are You into Darbukas?

Great choice there. This drum has some history from around the world. From ancient Middle Eastern gatherings to contemporary world stages, the Darbuka has always been there, the pulsing heart of music.

It all began in Egypt, some thousands of years ago. In ancient civilizations where music was more than culture, it was sacred. The basic form of Darbuka was made of the most basic materials like clay, wood, and animal skin. As centuries passed, this goblet-shaped Doumbek evolved but still kept its charm. Read more about the Darbuka's history.

Darbuka Types

Egyptian Darbuka

Some would say this is the most common one, and the role model for all others. It has round edges and deep metallic tones. If you see a Darbuka with tons of ornaments, be it mother of pearl, or other exotic motives, chances are - it is an Egyptian Darbuka. The weight is also distinguished, and these ones are pretty heavy, starting at 5.5kg.

Turkish Darbuka

Sleeker and edged, better for fingerstyle playing, with crisp and articulated sound. Turkish Darbukas, often made of aluminum, are lighter in weight and have more presence in the mid-tones. These Darbukas are very common these days, and we also offer them on our site, at great prices and free shipping worldwide.

Clay Darbukas

The old soul of the Darbuka family. The Clay Darbukas are specifically charming, with some amazing designs. The earth sound can’t be mistaken, very deep bass thanks to the natural skin and the clay. Although fragile and harder to maintain, many darbuka players would never replace them for a metal one. Some popular skin choices are calf, goat, and the holy grail: Fish skin.

Darbukas & Sizes

One of the first things you’d want to do when choosing a Darbuka is deciding on a size. Here are the common sizes, with our recommendation for beginners:

• Standard Darbuka aka Solo (22-24cm): The go-to for beginners, offering a balanced blend of bass and treble.
• Sombati (24-25cm): A medium-sized variant that steps up the bass, perfect for a more resonant, deeper sound.
• Dohola (27-30cm): The largest, with a bass that reverberates. Ideal for experienced players looking to add rich, deep tones to their music.

	Darbuka	Sombati (Medium Bass)	Dohola (Bass Darbuka)
Weight	1kg - 2.5kg	2.4kg - 6kg	6kg +
Head Skin Width	22cm - 24cm	24cm - 25cm	27cm - 30cm
Height	42cm - 44cm	45cm	48cm - 50cm

As a rule of thumb, we suggest most of our customers the Solo Darbuka or, if your hands are quite big, the Sombati. Both will be great for a beginner. The Dohola, although it has very impressive sounds, is harder to manage.

Which Darbuka to Buy?

When it comes to quality, brands like Gawharet El Fan, Emin Percussion, and Earth Percussion stand out. If you’re opting for an Egyptian Darbuka, we warmly recommend Gawharet El Fan. These are very solid, and the quality is great. It’s important to buy them from a trusted source, so packing is done correctly, and quality control detects any potential issues.

For Clay Darbuka, we recommend Earth Percussion. It’s our home brand and is made by a local luthier who has been making Darbukas for some of Turkey’s best-performing musicians. These are spectacular instruments, which will go the long run with you.