Oud, Tabla & Shibbabeh

Palestinians use a variety of traditional instruments as modes of self expression, connection with cultural heritage, and sharing unique melodies with the world. A few iconic instruments include the mijwiz, shibbabeh, yarghool, rababeh, nay, buzuk, qanun, tabla, and oud. 

Depicted here are the oud, tabla, and shebbabeh. The tabla, likely derived from the Arabic word “tabl,” meaning drum, has been used for thousands of years. They have been recorded to be used throughout Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Babylon, and Sumer. The tabla is also referred to as the “Goblet Drum” or “Darbuka.” The tabla is essential in controlling the tempo and rhythm of Palestinian music.

The oud is a pear shaped, short-neck, stringed instrument usually with 11 strings grouped into 6 courses. There are three types of ouds: arabian, turkish, and persian (known as barbat), which vary in size, shape, and sound. Ouds are one of the most popular instruments in Palestine and form the bedrock of Arab music theory.

Lastly, the shibbabeh is a short, six open-holed flute from Palestine which shares history with open-ended flutes found around the Mediterranean, Ethiopia, and Central Asia. Historically, shepherds and Bedouins used an earlier version of the shibbabeh constructed from reed or wood. Other prominent wood-wind instruments used by Palestinian artists are the rabebeh, yarghool, mijwiz, and nay.