Afghanistan
Afghans

Wood, bone, metal
1950s
Length: 12.6 in; Diameter: 6.7 in
Membranophones – Struck Membranophones

The zerbaghali is a single-headed, goblet-shaped hand drum that is played in the folk music of Afghanistan. It is played to accompany the Persian dutar, or in combination with the harmonium and a rubab.  In the early 20^th century, the dohol (double-sided barrel drum) was most common, but in the 1970s bands were using the zerbaghali.  While most Afghanistan zerbaghali are made of clay, this one is made of wood with extensive inlay of bone.  The goatskin head is glued and clamped on to the edge with a metal loop, secured with four  metal posts surrounding the body. The zerbaghali is usually played sitting cross-legged on the floor with the drum on its side, resting on part of the lap.  Using various playing techniques of both hands and fingers, the performer generates a variety of sounds.