Cultural and artistic festivals are more than mere occasions for joy; they are living expressions of identity and continuity. For many communities, particularly those with ancient roots and rich oral traditions like the Kurds, festivals serve as powerful tools for preserving culture.

The Thousand Daf (Kurdish Tambourine) Festival, held annually in the picturesque village of Palangan in the Hawraman area of East Kurdistan, is not merely a musical celebration, but rather an artistic pilgrimage. It is a vibrant mosaic of heritage, spirituality, and communal rhythm, a festival where Dafs speak louder than words, resonating with the shared soul of a people, a tradition that could be thousands of years old.

Between river and sky

Nestled in the heart of the Hawraman mountains, Palangan is one of the most visually captivating villages in Eastern Kurdistan (northwestern Iran). The Sirwan River slices through the village, dividing it into two parts, both of which blend in harmoniously with the natural landscapes of Kurdistan. The houses are built in a stepped pattern, so that the rooftop of one home becomes the patio of another, a living example of unity through architecture. During the Thousand Daf Festival, this unique structure transforms into a natural amphitheater, with every rooftop, alley, and bridge echoing with the heartbeat of the Daf, resonating across the staircase-shaped houses.

The inaugural Thousand Daf Festival took place on April 20, 2020, and quickly became one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events. The name “Thousand Dafs” was inspired by the vision of a thousand drummers playing in unison. It was coined by the head of the Palangan Village Council, who sought to reflect not only the number of performers, but also the collective spirit of the people gathered there annually. Since then, the festival has drawn thousands of visitors – Kurds, Iranians, and international guests alike, all are eager to witness this majestic celebration of sound and soul.

Colors and song

The festival is meticulously organized by the village council. A week before the event, formal invitations are sent out to Daf players both inside and outside of the region. Every participant must be well-versed in the art of playing the daf, or Kurdish tambourine, and participants perform in traditional Kurdish-style only to preserve the culture as it is.

A strict yet colorful dress code also applies; all participants wear traditional Kurdish clothing, showcasing styles from across Kurdistan: Hawrami, Saqzi, Bokani, Mahabadi, Marivani, Kermanshahi, and Bakhtiari. The result is a living museum of Kurdish fashion, draped across the village like a woven tapestry of identity.

Kurdish singers are also invited to the festival, who perform a carefully curated selection of songs. While some sing joyful, danceable songs, while others perform songs with national, mystical, and religious themes that reflect the spiritual and political layers of Kurdish history. One day before the event, song rhythms are shared with all participants for rehearsals. Participants are then divided into multiple groups, each assigned to specific rooftops or terraces, creating a multi-level symphony of sound that envelops the entire village, both visually and acoustically.

The thunderous beat

On the morning of April 20, the festival begins at 10:00 am. As the sun rises over Palangan, Daf players – men and women, young and old – take their places. Grouped by village, they stand proudly on rooftops, forming waves of rhythmic unity, known as the “Kurdish waves.” One side of the river is designated for performers, while the opposite side is reserved for the thousands of spectators, tourists, and photographers who flock to the village; estimates range from 25,000 to 30,000 attendees. The scene is indeed a theatrical masterpiece.

As the festival progresses, the thunderous beat of the Daf spreads like a wave across the village. It is a meticulously orchestrated harmony, with each player matching their rhythm to the next, forming a powerful collective voice. The beats echo through the valley and up the mountainsides, a call to the ancestors and an anthem of the present.

Meanwhile, Kurdish women from Palangan and neighboring areas like Marivan and Sanandaj showcase and sell their handicrafts – woven textiles, hand-embroidered garments, local jewelry, and herbal products – adding a layer of economic and artistic exchange to the day.

This is no ordinary musical gathering; the Thousand Daf Festival serves multiple goals. Culturally, it revives and protects ancient Kurdish musical traditions, particularly the daf, an instrument deeply tied to spirituality, Sufi mysticism, and national expression. Artistically, it provides a platform for seasoned and emerging Kurdish musicians to showcase their talents.

Socially and economically, the festival draws thousands of tourists to Palangan, boosting the local economy and encouraging youth engagement with cultural arts. It is also a field for intercultural dialogue, as visitors from across Iran and abroad are introduced to Kurdish identity in a vivid, celebratory context.

A living narrative and visual archive

No festival is complete without a visual storyteller, and in the case of the Thousand Daf Festival, Naseh Ali Khayat has become that voice. A celebrated Kurdish photographer, Khayat has spent five consecutive years documenting the festival. His photographs, shared widely on social media and art platforms, have brought the magic of Palangan to global audiences. His lens captures not just images, but emotion, the sway of the Daf, the smile of a child in traditional garb, and the colorful flood of garments across rooftops.

Thanks to Khayat’s work, the festival is now part of a visual archive that not only celebrates Kurdish culture, but also preserves it for future generations and others world-wide. As a writer and cultural observer, I was moved by these images that evoke stories – the stories that led me to this tribute to a festival that beats in time with the Kurdish heart.

The Thousand Daf Festival is a profound example of how culture can be celebrated, shared, and preserved. In a world where indigenous voices often go unheard, this festival roars with the collective beat of Kurdish pride.

Whether you’re drawn by the music, the fashion, the heritage, or the stories, Palangan on April 20 becomes more than a village, it becomes a living museum of Kurdish identity, where every Daf is a storyteller, every beat a step toward cultural resilience, and every ensemble a symphonic thread in the rich cultural mosaic of Kurdish culture.

Fatima Qasim Habib is a journalist, writer, translator, artist, poet, and art designer who has organized numerous art exhibitions in both the Kurdistan Region and international locations.