Davul

davul

The davul is the Turkish name for a type of two-sided frame drum found in the Middle East and Balkan Europe. In Arabic, it is called a tabl, literally meaning "drum." Cow hide is stretched over the right side and struck with a heavy beater, known in Turkish as a tokmak, for a heavy, low tone. Over the other side, thinner goat skin is stretched. This is struck with a long, thin stick, known as a çubuk, for a higher pitch. They typically range in size from 60cm in diameter to 90cm in diameter.

In Arabic-speaking countries, it is associated with the dabke, a folkloric line dance of the Levant, and the cane dance of Upper Egypt. It is accompanied by the mizmar, mijwiz, or minjayra, a smaller mountain version of the reed flute, or nay.

In Turkey, the davul is most commonly played with the zurna, although it can be played with other instruments and in ensembles as well. It has also traditionally been used for communication and for Turkish mehter, or janissary music.