My object is called a doumbek. A doumbek is a type of drum that is used in my culture. My entire family is Egyptian, and my parents migrated here from Egypt, so we have some things that they kept from Egypt, such as a couple of dumbeks. This type of drum is used in Egyptian music a lot, and it is fairly easy to use/play. If you go to Egypt you might see some street performers playing music with it. Most doumbeks are relatively small, about the size of your forearm and hand, they’re meant to be held with one arm and played with the other; You can also hold it between your legs and play it with two hands. They usually have nice colors and patterns on them; the specific one I'm talking about is white with a black-lined design. My dad has had it for a long time and it is still in good condition. The first time I saw one, I was in Egypt and my relatives showed me how to play it. The trick is to leave space between the bottom of the doumbek and the floor so that the sound can go through the bottom and doesn't get trapped in the doumbek. You also are supposed to use the tips of your fingers to play and not be very aggressive with it. The doumbek is very important to my family. It represents my culture.

– M

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant