Bandari music

Bandari music stems from Iran's south, around the Persian Gulf region and was used by sailors and harbour-workers for centuries. It is a rhythmic type of dance music played fast and slow using quarter tone that can be vocalized and played. It is played mostly in weddings and other celebrations.The name bandari means 'of the port people' and comes from the Persian word bandar meaning port.

The major musical instruments used in the bandari style are:
*The ney hamban is an instrument made of goat's skin similar to Irish bagpipes and is played by blowing.
*The dombak is a percussion instrument made of animal skin and the wood of the walnut tree.
*The daf is a percussion instrument made of animal skin and a wooden frame like the head of a drum, with jingles on the rim, similar to the tambourine.
*The darbuka is a percussion instrument made of fish skin and clay. Find out more at

Modern Persian bandari bands use rhythmic instruments such as the frame drum, darbuka, jemba, talking drum, quinto, conga, and acoustic and electric drums specialized in 6/8 rhythm which are used in a creative way.

One of the most famous modern Bandari bands is Sandy.