I’m learning to play the Sombati Darbuka! Also known at a doumbek, this is a ceramic hand-drum from the middle-east, popularly used to accompany raqs sharqi style dancing, also known as belly-dance. I’ve been dancing for over a decade and I played percussion in school growing up. With a big movement arts festival coming up that I’m performing at all day, this seemed like a great opportunity to combine and expand upon two art forms already in my wheelhouse.
The Sombati darbuka is a large concert-soloist style drum. Powerful enough to carry a show without accompanying instruments. I liked that versatility which led me to go with this bigger-than-normal size. This particular drum is a Gawharet El Fan, a posh Egyptian brand. After scouring the internet for sample sound videos of all the major brands, it was clear that a GEF was the best-sounding option. The drum is of course also a work of art.
Because of the drum’s size and weight, it is played seated. To aid in my learning and playing out, I’ve sewn myself a nice sturdy drumming cushion with remnant fabric from an upholstery project. I whipped up the shell in about 10 minutes and stuffed it with recycled packaging cotton: think newspaper pulp except it’s cotton fibers all layered together to protect items in transport. Love a free sewing project!
