The Uzbek Doira and the Frame Drums of Neighbouring Peoples: A Comparative Organological and Functional Analysis of the Doira, Ghaval, Daf and Riq

This article presents a comparative study of the Uzbek doira and three related frame drums of neighbouring musical cultures: the Azerbaijani ghaval, the Persian daf and the Arabic riq. The instruments are compared along three dimensions: organological characteristics (construction, size, jingles, drumhead), sound-production technique, and functional role within the classical ensemble. The study shows that, despite a shared ancient origin and a common membership in the frame-drum family, each instrument has developed distinct organological and stylistic features. At the same time, a striking functional parallel emerges: in several of these traditions the frame-drum player acts as the rhythmic leader of the ensemble, a role that the doira occupies in Uzbek maqom performance.