Iraqi artisan Abdel Rahman secures a leather piece around a circular frame as he makes a traditional tambourine, known as the "daf", at his workshop in the multi-ethnic city of Kirkuk. However, according to Abdel Rahman, his craft is seeing a sharp decline because "nobody is working in it anymore" due to mass production and the use of "machine-made parts". In another area of the northern Iraqi city, a traditional Sufi group uses Abdel Rahman's well-crafted instruments to create distinct, rhythmic tunes and melodies. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES