Iraqi Artisans Preserve Traditional Drum-Making Craft in Mosul

Iraqi artisans in Mosul continue to preserve the traditional craft of drum-making, a profession deeply rooted in local culture and associated with religious, cultural and social gatherings.

Craftsmen say producing a single drum requires hours of manual work, beginning with cutting, shaping and hammering a wooden frame, followed by fitting metal rings around it and stretching animal hide across its surface. The final step involves tapping the drum to test its sound.

The artisans note that oak and walnut were once considered among the best woods for drum frames, but they have become increasingly scarce and expensive. Wolf and gazelle hides were also valued for producing superior sounds, yet their rarity has led craftsmen to turn to sheep and goat hides as alternatives.