This drum has an extremely clear, bright tone and can produce incredibly loud musical passages. It is from Egypt and is a marriage of old and new architectural designs that together form a very powerful instrument. The body is made of heavy cast aluminum and covered with a beautiful mosaic of Mother-of-Pearl inlay (Kotim), a revered design nuance of the highest cultural esteem. The skin is made from mylar, a moisture and temperature resistant artificial head that is always ready to play without any preparation. It is fastened by an adjustable high-tension rim made of aluminum, and fits snuggly with six tuneable tension rods. The drum is 17� tall, 10 �� in diameter with a playing surface of 9�.