Simsimiyya

The simsimiyya (Arabic: سمسمية, and سنسمية simsimyya/sinsimiyya; pl. simsimiyyāt/sinsimiyyāt) is a box or bowl lyre used in Egypt. Models exist with both circular soundboxes as well as rectangular. In the past, Egyptian models had 5 strings. The strings are held in place by pegs instead of tuning rings. Today, images of the instrument in Egypt may show 12 strings.

A simsimiyya being played by an Egyptian band.

Ancient Egyptian lyre.

It is used in Egypt in certain genres of Egyptian music, including Sawahli (coastal) music, which is a type of popular Egyptian music from the country's northern coast. The simsimiyya was probably introduced to the country's northern coast from the Nile valley in the 19th century by Egyptian workers in the Suez canal. It is also used in other genres of Egyptian music. Well-known Egyptian bands that feature the simsimiyya as a main instrument include El Tanbura, which uses other Egyptian instruments.

The simsimiyya is often used to accompany Egyptian musicians known as suhbagiyya, in the cities of Port Said, Ismailia, and Suez. [2]

It is sometimes used in other countries neighboring Egypt as well, including Libya, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

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  A simsimiyya being played by Hassan aka Mohsen El 'Ashry of El Tanbura. [1]

References

• Shiloah, Amnon. "The Simsimiyya: A Stringed Instrument of the Red Sea Area." Asian Music, vol. 4, no. 1, Near East-Turkestan Issue (1972), pp. 15-26.

See also

• Kissar
• Krar
• Tanbūra
• el-Tanboura
• Music of Egypt