A common Middle Eastern percussion instrument is the 'Tar'.

A tar is a shallow, round wooden frame, with an animal-hide skin stretched across it, and bears a strong resemblance to the Celtic 'Bodhran', the main differences being size (the tar is smaller) and the manner of playing. The tar is played with the hands, the Bodhran with a stick.

The main reason behind this instrument's popularity with the nomadic peoples of the Middle East is its ease of construction and its portability.

A version of this drum with many small cymbals attached to its frame is called a 'riq'. Most of the western world would call a riq a tambourine.