Morocco
Berber

Wood, goatskin, metal, plastic
Late 20th century
Diameter: 18.25 in; Depth: 3.875 in
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Single Headed

This bendir (erbeni or arbani) is a single-headed goatskin frame drum from North Africa. It is commonly used in Berber music, as well as Gnawa music.  The  bendir was also played in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.  It can also be found in Southwest Asia.  In Turkish, the word bendir means ‘a big hand frame drum.” (The Turkish have a slightly different bendir used in the Art music or Sufi music. )  Unique to the bendir is that it has a snare/snares (usually made of gut) stretched across the head inside, underneath the playing side, that gives the tone a buzzing quality when played. The drum is played with the fingers or palm of one hand and is held in a vertical position by the other hand. The hand that holds the bendir loops the thumb through the one hole in the wooden frame. The bendir shown here is a modern version with eight plastic snares and the maker logo “Roosebeck.”