Describe the rhythmic pattern that Mirhige, the riqq performer, is playing. What are some ways Mirhige creates variations on his repeating rhythmic pattern? (Answers may vary.)

What will be an ideal response?

• "The rhythmic pattern or ‘iqa' played by Mirhige is made up of eight beats and is called wahdah (see Transcription 10.1 in Worlds of Music). Two sounds come from the riqq: the low-sounding dumm, which happens once in each eight-beat cycle, and higher-sounding takks.
• Mirhige creates many variations on this repeating pattern in addition to varying the tone color between the drum skin head and metal jingles, or sometimes plays only on the drum head alone.