A woman performing on the Tarabuka, 1850.
Goblet drums (also tarabuka) are single-sheet drums widely used in Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. Goblet drums are a type of membranophone in which one side is larger than the other and the shell resembles the shape of a goblet or chalice. This group includes the darbuka and the djembe.
The tarabuka hase an hourglass shape and can be made of many materials: metal, pottery and wood.
These drums are usually played with the fingers, while being held under the arm or over a leg, while the drum player is seated. When played standing, the drums are suspended from the body using a cord.
