Let’s dive right into the first one.
The Name Game
The drum you commonly know as the Doumbek has quite an identity crisis! This variation of the name became popular in the West, and it is kind of a pun on the sounds of this drum. The “Dum” bass and the “tack” high ton. And while it’s indeed commonly referred to as “Doumbek” in the West, it’s known as “Darbuka” in Turkey. This name is derived from the Arabic word “darab”, literally meaning to strike. Which makes sense when you think about it…
Meanwhile in Egypt, many call it “tabla”. It’s interesting how one instrument can have so many names across different cultures, isn’t it?
Ancient Rhythms
The Darbuka is definitely not a recent innovation. In fact, it has roots that trace back some thousands of years. Ancient civilizations have depicted the darbuka in their art. We find evidence of the darbuka in ancient Mesopotamia, where Sumerians and Babylonians incorporated it into their religious ceremonies. Frescoes in ancient Egyptian tombs depict pharaohs and priests playing the darbuka during sacred rituals.
Now imagine, every time your strike the Darbuka, you’re connecting with an ancient tradition that has been a part of human culture for millennia! Cool, right?
Is It The Oldest Beat?
While the Darbuka has been around for ages, it’s not quite the oldest drum known to man. The oldest drum ever discovered is a Neolithic artifact found in China, dating back about 7,000 years!
As for Darbuka, its earliest versions can be seen in the middle east, roughly 5,000 years ago. So, while it might not hold the record for the most ancient beat, it’s certainly getting hand-clapping for quite some time!
Tuning It Up
Unline many drums which are tuned using a system of ropes or pegs, the modern darbuka is often tuned with bolts. This not only makes the tuning process more precise but also quicker. And for those darbuka purists out there, fear not! There are still traditional models which employ the age-old methods of rope tuning.
Tuning a darbuka isn’t a straightforward task. Often it requires heating the skin (even synthetic skin!), and careful listening. The head of the drum must be evenly stretched to create the perfect beat.
So, the next time you hear a darbuka in perfect harmony, tip your hat to the skilled tuner behind that killing sound!
A Celebrity Drum
In the world of percussion instruments, not all drums enjoy the limelight, but the Darbuka sure does. This versatile drum has been adopted by many renowned artists globally. It has even found its way into modern pop, electronic music, and rock. Let’s through a couple of names you probably know. Shakira has incorporated the darbuka in songs, giving their tracks an exotic twist. Peter Gabriel, in his world music explorations, has also multiple tracks with Darbuka as the main rhythm instrument. Think of Sting and his ethereal track “Desert Rose”.
Keep an ear out; sooner than you think, you’ll start hearing it everywhere!
A Healing Drum
What do you know about the Darbuka as a healing drum? Centuries ago in Sufi traditions in Turkey, the darbuka was not merely seen as a musical instrument but as a therapeutic tool. Sufi healers incorporated the drum’s entrancing rhythms in their rituals, believing its beats could channel divine energies and bring about emotional and spiritual healing.
Even today, in parts of North Africa, the darbuka’s beats are intertwined with specific healing dances and ceremonies. Research that was done by “Bittman et al” in 2001, suggests that the rhythmic patterns of drums can indeed reduce stress and boost the immune system. The darbuka isn’t just for music; it’s for the soul.
Very interesting article. Thank you