Dirbaki

Goblet-shaped hand drum widely played throughout the Middle East and especially prominent in Palestinian music. Traditionally made from clay and fitted with animal skin—though now often built from metal or modern materials, with a synthetic head—the dirbaki is known for two primary tones: the deep “dum” at the center and the sharp “tak” at the edge. Its crisp, vibrant sound makes it a central instrument in folk ensembles, dabke performances, and classical Arab music. In Palestine, the dirbaki is one of the most recognizable percussion instruments, heard at weddings, festivals, olive harvest celebrations, and street performances, where its rhythms form a core part of Palestinian cultural identity.