Instruments

Also called tabla (طبلة), or darbakeh (دربكة) in some Levantine sources. The contrast between a resonant Dum and a clear rim tone gives this drum its voice. Traditional clay examples use natural skins; many modern Egyptian instruments use aluminium and a tunable plastic head. You’ll hear it in folk, popular and raqs sharqi (رقص شرقي), or Eastern dance, music, as well as in some classical settings. [2][3][4]

A larger member of the darbuka family, with a deeper, bassier voice. Nayef al-Zoubi’s Jordanian account records the Egyptian name duhulla and its use alongside tabla in folk percussion groups. In this lab it provides the low foundation underneath the lead darbuka; think of it as a second voice in the same family. [4]

A broad frame drum used in North African traditions. The Arab Music Academy’s Libyan account describes a wooden hoop with a goatskin head and, in some examples, two strings underneath that add a buzz. It documents the bendir in Amazigh songs, folk music and hadra (حضرة), a devotional gathering. The buzzing strings are one useful distinction from a drum whose brightness comes from metal jingles. [3][5]

The riq combines a drumhead with sets of brass cymbals. A player can bring out the skin, frame or metal for very different colours, from delicate articulation to a bright shimmer. In a traditional takht (تخت) it is often the main, or only, percussion instrument. MaqamWorld calls its player dabit al-iqa‘ (ضابط الإيقاع), the musician who holds the rhythm together while shaping its ornaments. [6]

These small brass cymbals are attached to the thumbs and middle fingers of both hands and struck together. They add ringing accents and rhythmic detail, and are closely associated with raqs sharqi performance. You may see the English spellings sagat and sajat for this Arabic name. Larger related cymbals are known as tura (طورة). [7]