Description
The Dastan Persian daf is one of the most evocative voices in Middle Eastern percussion — a wide, single-headed frame drum whose deep centre tone and shimmering metal rings have carried Sufi, Persian, and Kurdish music for generations. Built by Dastan with a synthetic head, this daf keeps that traditional voice while staying stable and ready to play in any climate.
A frame drum built for resonance
The daf’s power comes from its size. A wide 54 cm head over a shallow 5.5 cm wooden frame gives a long, washing sustain and a strong low end, while the whole drum stays light at just 0.72 kg — easy to hold upright and shake through long passages. The single head, played with the fingers and palm, lets one player shape everything from a steady pulse to rapid rolls.
Why a synthetic head
This daf uses a synthetic head rather than natural skin. A synthetic membrane holds its tuning through shifts in humidity and temperature, needs no warming by a heat source before playing, and resists the wear of travel and outdoor performance. For students, devotional players, and anyone who needs a drum that is simply ready when they are, it is a practical, low-maintenance choice that keeps the daf’s voice consistent from one session to the next.
The shimmer of the rings
Rows of small metal rings are fixed to the inner rim of the frame. Each finger-stroke is answered by a soft, sweeping jingle, and the Persian daf’s characteristic shaking motion lets one player move between a steady ceremonial pulse and rapid, trance-like rolls — the sound that gives the instrument its hypnotic pull.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Instrument | Persian Daf (frame drum) |
| Brand / Maker | Dastan |
| Head diameter | 54 cm |
| Frame depth | 5.5 cm |
| Weight | 0.72 kg (720 g) |
| Head material | Synthetic |
| Frame | Wood |
| Inner rings | Rows of metal jingles |
| Tradition | Persian & Kurdish frame drum |
Who plays the Dastan Persian Daf
Its stable, all-weather head makes this daf well suited to beginners and developing players who want a forgiving, low-maintenance drum, as well as Sufi and devotional players, Persian and Kurdish percussionists, and sound-healing practitioners drawn to the daf’s deep, washing resonance.
The daf across traditions
- Sufi ritual — the daf drives zikir ceremonies, its metal shimmer lifting repetitive rhythms toward trance.
- Persian classical music — it provides a resonant rhythmic foundation in ensemble and solo settings.
- Kurdish traditional music — the daf is a central voice, especially in devotional and folk repertoire.
- Contemporary & meditative practice — its deep resonance suits modern composition and sound work.
Looking after a synthetic-head daf
Upkeep is simple: wipe the head clean, store the drum flat or hanging away from direct heat, and check the rings stay seated. Unlike natural skin, the synthetic head needs no humidity management and holds its tone year-round.
As a member of the Frame Drums family, the Dastan daf sits naturally alongside the Arabic Riq tambourine and the Darbuka goblet drum, while its meditative voice connects it to our wider Persian Daf range. Every daf is curated by our percussion specialist Gurkan Ozkan and inspected at our Brisighella, Italy showroom before shipping. Browse the full Percussions collection, or learn more about the daf tradition. Free Shipping & 15-day return apply across the EU.
