Tonbak, sometimes written as Tombak is one of the most known and popular Persian musical instruments in Iran. It is a hollow Iranian instrument like a drum. In simple words, it’s carved from a single piece of wood, a hollow center is on the top and open from the bottom side.

A goatskin or sheepskin membrane is glued on top which is fixed. This means that Tombak can not be tuned, however, it is usually prepared before playing by hitting or heating. Interestingly, it has softer low pitched notes than other drums.

Tonbak is known by many names in Iran like Zarb (meaning to hit). Dombak or Donbak are less common names, while it is known as Dumbek in English speaking countries.