About the Darbuka

The darbuka is the goblet drum played throughout the Middle East. It is a joyful instrument used in celebration and dance. It’s also known as tabla, derbeke, dumbek, doumbek, and dumberleki. Darbukas vary in size and shape depending on the region.

You can hear darbuka in pop music, folk music, roma music and even classical music. Darbuka players can be found in night clubs, accompanying belly dancers, and playing behind pop singers.

The darbuka can also be found in concert halls thanks to darbuka pioneers such as Ustaz Said El Artist in Egypt who elevated the darbuka from the streets of Alexandria to grace the great Opera Houses of Egypt.

The style taught in this darbuka school is based on the modern Turkish split hand technique that Raquy learned while training in Istanbul.