Rapa'i daboh (II)

For male participants. The rapa'i (a medium-size frame drum) is used in the performance of daboh (Arabic: dabbus, awl) in which religiously inspired performers stab themselves with an awl or dagger, with no pain felt, to show their religious concentration and invulnerability. Daboh is accompanied by mass rapa'i playing and songs of praise of Allah and the Prophets. This image presents a close-up of one of the men playing the rapa'i in a competitive performance of daboh between two groups. Copyright 1982. Notes prepared by Bronia Kornhauser with Margaret Kartomi, School of Music-Conservatorium, Monash University. Photography by Hidris Kartomi.