Dabaaskah

A dabaaskah [dæbæʔæskæħ] is a Djatan and Odolaic traditional wind music instrument. It is used in any occasion, for funerals, feasts, weddings and any party. Nowadays, dabaaskahs are mostly used by Djatan people, as Odolais have, like Doros and Dartal Iriqueians, diluted most of their culture during centuries of cultural and religious exchange, trade and commerce with southern countries in central America.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The instrument is composed, just like old-word didgeridoos, of a single tree's trunk that has been hollowed-out, carved, polished and/or painted. By making a very annoying noise in the narrower end, the musician/user makes air vibrate in the instrument ; it produces a very loud and powerful noise.

Manufacturing process

Instrument makers have preferences for some types of wood, but not all types of wood make the same kind of noise. The tree's trunk must be hollowed-out, and the remaining tube can be polished and have its narrower end filled with hot wax or any kind of polymer or any material that can be used for that. Then, the instrument can be carved, sculpted, painted, and decorated. For the most expansive dabaaskahs, rare or precious materials like platinum, bone, various metals or bismuth can be used to decorate the instrument. Gold and diamonds are also good materials, but are worthless when it comes to price.

Item type

Musical Instrument

Manufacturer

Djetil

Related Technologies

• Synthetic gold

Weight

<30kg

Dimensions

<4m

Base Price

depends on the materials

Raw materials & Components

Dabaaskahs are made out of hollowed-out tree trunks.