Tanbour, A Persian Traditional Musical Instruments from Kermanshan, Iran

The delightful sound of music has always been an inseparable part of Persia. To know more about “TANBOUR” one of the oldest Iranian instruments, join us on this trip to Kermanshah Province.

The Mystery Whisperer Tanbour: Sound of Legends

“The music which is played by Tanbour and sung by people is the universe’s sound, crying out loud”

Rumi

Late in the spring of 2017, when I was wandering around the mountainous region of Dalahu, I visited with my Yarsani* countrymen to get more familiar with their culture and customs. I stayed overnight in a small village nestled between a hill covered with oak trees and wheat fields.
Like all true Kurd families who are famous for their hospitality even to strangers, I was treated kindly by Bijan’s family in their loving home. The next morning, Bijan and I left the house for a Tutshami shrine for prayer.
Mountains along the way were covered with oak trees; their green colors seemed darker under the shining sun. We came down from the mountainous area to a plain field which led to a town named Gahwareh, located in the county of Dalahu in Kermanshah province. At my host’s suggestion, we planned to visit the oldest workshop in town in which Tanbours were made, I had no idea that Gahwareh is famous for its Tanbours and Tanbour players let alone having such an ancient workshop.

Tanbour is a musical instrument akin to dotar of Khorasan, and Ali Akbar Moradi is a master at playing it; that was all I had known about Tanbour before traveling to Dalahu. I had neither seen Tanbour being played nor knew anything about its mysterious presence at rituals of people living in the western part of Iran…

Written by: Dr. Shadi Ganji (Archeologist and World Explorer)
Translated by: Zarrin Najafi

Order full article online here on Gilgamesh Heritage & Tourism Magazine.