The daf, also referred to as def, duff, deff, defi, defli or dap, is a large frame drum from the Persian tradition used (like the zarb) to accompany Iranian music, but which is also widespread (without its rings) from Middle East notably in Turkey, in Armenia and in Azerbaijan up to the Siberia via l’Central Asia. It is undoubtedly the cause of the Arab-Andalusian tar spread at Maghreb and which reached medieval Europe. It still survives in Portugal and Spain (as well as in Brazil and Guatemala) under the name of adufe, but also of pandero or pandeiro.

The daf is also related to the riqq, (provided with cymbals), from which it differs only in the size and type of ringlet. It should not be confused with the bendir, smaller and deeper, which features a stamp of gut strings stretched against the skin, nor with the tar, equipped with jingles, nor with the doyre, smaller, with a more massive frame and the smallest number of rings of larger size.

The terms "duff " or "deff " refer both to the daf in some Asian countries and to an Arab-Andalusian version of the adufe drum.

The daf consists of a wooden frame on which an animal skin is glued, to which garlands of metal rings (or bells) are sometimes added to provide jingles. There are different sizes; the largest percussion instruments (60 to 80 cm in diameter) are played by men in spiritual rituals and medium-sized percussion instruments (30 to 40 cm) can be played by women and are often mistaken for the drum.

A daf has six parts:

• The frame is made of wood. Its width is 5-7 cm. Its thickness is 1-2 cm. It often has a hole or recess to hold it;
• The goat skin is stuck to the frame;
• The pins are positioned behind the frame to keep the skin tight on it;
• The hooks are positioned in order to carry the rings in the inner part of the frame;
• The metal rings are used to produce the jingles either between them or by striking the skin;
• A leather band is included to help the musician wear it during long performances;
• There may be calligraphy on the skin or stamps on the frame.

Game

Persian playing drum on frame; painting from the Chehel Soutoun Palace at Ispahan, XVII^e century.

It is played either sitting or standing. Hold the daf vertically placed on the left hand and hit it with the right hand (flat or pointed) in the center, the fingers of the right hand at the edge closest to oneself, and the fingers of the left hand, at the edge where they hold the instrument. One can then make the rings play by leaning forward or backward the instrument, to slap it against the skin, and one can also make it jump in the air, while holding it or not, for the tinkling of the rings alone. The game is very complex and quite physical. There are specific rhythms for the daf.

En Iran et au Kurdistan, les soufis l’utilisent durant le rituel du dhikr (chant spirituel) and the cult kurde yarsan et Al-e Haqq. It has recently been included in Persian classical music, notably by the Kamkar ensemble.

Elsewhere, he limits himself to the music of brotherhoods Sufi Arab or Turkish, to folklore Indian and at shamanism Siberian.

Sources

• Daf (mystical drum) by Majid Khaladj – Anthology of Iranian Rhythms / Buda Music – CD volume 2
• Jean During, Music and mysticism in the traditions of Iran, French Research Institute in Iran, Paris, 1989.

internet link:

https://frwiki.fr/Lexique/Daf_(instrument)

Video link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPU52TfGxlk