OMANI drums are one of the vital musical instruments used in many folk arts. During social or national occasions, people find the sounds of drums resound with their beautiful rhythms on various occasions.
Thus, during the Omanis' celebration of Eid al Adha, popular chants did not leave them. The sounds of drums resound in the old alleys, and the squares of the celebration field are filled with folk bands singing songs of loyalty to God, the homeland, and the Sultan.
Among the most important drums used for popular songs are Al Rahmani, Al Rannah and Al Kaser. Al Rahmani is considered the most important percussion instrument in Omani traditional music. It can be heard in all governorates of Oman. This type of drum plays the role of the rhythmic base, so its sound is deep and full compared to other accompanying percussion instruments.
As for the ‘Al Rannah’ drums, they are distinguished by their medium size, and this type gives a thicker sound than the ‘Rahmani’. The ‘Al Rannah’ is used in the arts like ‘Al Zar’ and ‘Al Ayalah’, and ‘Al Rannah’ varies according to the diversity of the art and the area used in it.
As for ‘Al Kasir’, its size is smaller than that ‘Al Rahmani’, so it makes a shrill sound compared to ‘Rahmani’. The relationship between ‘Al Rahmani’ and ‘Al Kaser’ is a closer one, and we often see them together because each completes the role of the other.
Studies confirm that percussion is a dominant feature in traditional Omani music and has the lion’s share of these arts. Percussion instruments represent the base of music and dance in Omani folk art. If we compare percussion instruments with melodic instruments used in traditional Omani music, we find seven melodic instruments compared to 27 percussion instruments.
Traditional drum makers are widespread in most regions of the Sultanate, and all of them, without exception, inherited the craft from their ancestors, which contributed greatly to its survival. There are many details in making drums and distinguishing their leather and wood, starting from choosing the type of leather, through the stage of cleaning it, and ending with determining its location in the drum, with the aim of obtaining a special tone for the traditional art. There are many types of wood used in the manufacture of drums, including walnut wood, Sidr wood, mangroves, and many other types which are imported from West Asia and East Africa.
Despite the difficulty of practicing this profession which requires precision and high skills, the practice of the craft of musical instruments still exists. Omanis inherited this art from their older generations.
Omanis are skilled in making drums and ‘Tambourah’.
To make the best types of drums, the trunk of the wood is hollowed out evenly, and this work needs longer periods, maybe several weeks. After completing the hollowing of the wooden trunk, the stage of laying the skin begins. Sheep and cow skins are used in this industry, and the leather is fixed to the wood after cleaning it with traditional tools.
The most used types of wood in the manufacture of Omani drums namely trunks of ‘Acacia trees, Al Suqam, Al Neem, Al Qurum, and the palm trees. In addition to instruments made of wood, it is sometimes found that percussion instruments such as ‘Al Rahmani’, in which metal cylinders are used from old materials. The skins used in making drums are sheep, cows, and sometimes camel skin.
Studies of archaeological finds indicate that the history of making drums goes back 6,000 years. This industry relied on clay barrels that were discovered in a mountainous area in the east of the Czech Republic.
According to sources, the large round drum is the oldest type of drum. The Sumerian Obelisk, known as the Badra Obelisk, which is in the Iraqi Museum, is considered one of the oldest percussion instruments, dating back to between 2600-2500 BC, and one of the most famous drums among the ancient Sumerians and Babylonians was the sacred drum, as it was necessary to listen to its rhythm with great respect. In addition, drums were sacred, especially during the Babylonian and Assyrian eras.
During the festive Eid occasions, one can hear the rhythms of the drums that resound in public squares and popular neighbourhoods. This indicates the Omanis' adherence to their traditional heritage, which they inherited from their ancestors centuries ago.
Text, Photos by YAHYA ALSALMANI
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