Riq

The riq (Arabic: رق‎) (also spelled riqq or rik) is a type of tambourine used as a traditional instrument in Arabic music. It is an important instrument in both folk and classical music throughout the Arabic-speaking world. It traditionally has a wooden frame (although in the modern era it may also be made of metal), jingles, and a thin, translucent head made of fish or goat skin (or, more recently, a synthetic material).

It is between 20 and 25 cm in diameter. Descended from the daf, like the tar, the riq acquired its name in the 19th century so that it could be differentiated.

The riq is played in takht ensembles (Egypt, Syria) or chalghi ensembles (Iraq) where it has a particularly clearcut role, going beyond the simple rhythmic requirements of the daf, tar, or mazhar. In Sudan, where it seems to have been introduced recently, the riq is also related to worship, as in upper Egypt.

The frame of the riq can be covered on both the inner and outer sides with inlay such as mother-of-pearl, ivory or decorative wood, like apricot or lemon. It has ten pairs of small cymbals (about 6 cm in diameter), mounted in five pairs of slits. The skin of a fish or young goat is glued on and tightened over the frame, which is about 6 cm deep. In Egypt the riq is usually 20 cm wide; in Iraq it is slightly larger.

Rassemblement pour l'indépendance du Québec

The Rassemblement pour l'indépendance du Québec, or RIQ, is an association of citizens in favour of Quebec independence.

Founded in May 2000, it is purposely unaffiliated officially with any political party (like the Parti Québécois, the main Quebec independence party) or any political ideology outside sovereignty matters (despite the important links between the Quebec independence movement and the Quebec left). It did however support the Parti Québécois in the 2003 Quebec general election. It also puts independence before any association projects with Canada (see also: Pur et dur).

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