A percussion instrument consisting of a single membrane stretched over a sound box, whose sound is produced by the player causing the membrane to vibrate by friction. The sound box may be a pot or jug or some open-ended hollow object. To produce the friction, the membrane may be directly rubbed with the fingers or through the use of a cloth, or a stick or cord which is attached to the centre of the membrane and then rubbed or moved with a hand, sponge or cloth, generally wet. The membrane may be depressed with the thumb while playing to vary the pitch. In some friction drums, the friction is obtained by spinning the drum around a pivot.

Friction drums are found in various forms in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. In Europe, they emerged in the 16th century and were associated with specific religious and ceremonial occasions.