Persian Percussion

Tonbak (Zarb)

The Tonbak (also called Zarb, the Persian goblet drum) and the Daf (the Kurdish frame drum) are the only national drums of Persia.

Also the presence of goblet drums in Asia, North Africa and East Europe shows the importance of this class of drums.

Unfortunately, the origin of the Tonbak is still in dispute. Etymologists say that the Pahlavi (Persian pre-Islamic language) name of the Tonbak is 'Dombalag', and it was known to be present in the Zourkhaneh (the Persian traditional gymnasium) so we know that it is ancient, pre-dating the Islamic period.

Various names for the Tonbak, throughout its history, trace the application of this instrument in different parts of ancient Persia.

For a lexical discussion please refer to the article section of the Tombak Network.

Listen to mp3

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