Frame Drums (daira) - Central Asia, Caucasus, Middle East, North Africa and Iran

Frame drums known as daira, daf, riq and other names consists of a thin membrane of animal skin stretched and glued over a wooden hoop. Metal jingles such as rings, coins or pairs of cymbals are usually attached to the hoop. The daira is held in on hand and is struck with the fingers., thumb, palm or heel of the other hand. The pitch is tuned by tightening the skin with heat or loosening it with water.

Singers of maqam, the challenging genre of classical music of the Islamic world, use the frame drums like the daira to accompany themselves as they create songs based on religious poetic text. The daira is also played solo or in small ensembles to accompany dances and ritual processions at important events.

Narration and performance by Shane Shanahan:

What is a daira?

Sound of the daira