Doira

Doira means "circle" in Persian: skin is stretched over a wooden frame with metal rings fixed inside. In Azerbaijan the instrument is called gaval or daf.

The player strikes it with the fingers of both hands and shakes the frame to sound the rings; master players create complex rhythms and even melodic patterns.

It is an essential part of shashmaqam ensembles, weddings and dances, and players warm the skin over a fire before playing to brighten the sound.