The tonbak is a chalice-shaped drum carved from solid mulberry wood. It is covered at the wide end by a membrane of lamb or goat skin. The  technique  of  this   instrument uses

both hands and consists of rolling and snapping the fingers in various ways.   The   rich

variety  of   tonesand textures on this instrument allows the player to punctuate and ornament the melodic phrases as well as create rhythmical patterns. `Tom' and `bak' are onomato-poeias for two basic strokes, one low (tom) in the center, and one high (bak) on the side of the membrane. The Tonbak is often also referred to as Tombak, Dombak, Donbak & Zarb.

        tonbak