derbouka الدربوكة

Algerian Darja · noun

“derbouka” (الدربوكة) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning darbuka, goblet-shaped drum.

Meanings

1. darbuka, goblet-shaped drum
2. partying, entertainment (figurative, pejorative)
3. derbouka, goblet drum

Usage

Derbouka refers to the goblet-shaped drum, made of clay or metal, with a skin stretched over it and played by hand. It is heard at parties, weddings and in popular music. One says ydreb derbouka ("he plays the darbuka"), and the person who plays it is a derbaki. In critical discourse, el derbouka also symbolises partying and easy entertainment, as opposed to useful projects: "dar chabab w derbouka". This sense is ironic. The instrument itself carries no particular connotation.

Example

How to write it in Latin letters

In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “derbouka” but also “darbouka”, “dorbouka”, “darbuka”, “edderbouka” and “derbuka”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.

Its Arabic spelling is not fixed either: you will find الدربوكة and دربوكة, all the same word.

Type “derbouka” on the Arabic keyboard

In Tunisian Derja

The same word also exists in Tunisian Derja, written دربوكة, where it means “darbouka, goblet drum”: darbouka in Tunisian.