Mizmar

مزمار

Piercing and unmistakable, usually played by two or three musicians together over a saidi drum line.

Origin

Upper Egypt; a loud double-reed horn played in outdoor ensembles.

Role in the dance

The sound of saidi and cane dance — festive, rural and proudly loud.

Music

Rhythms it plays

The two dums in the middle give it a jumping, grounded energy. The rhythm of assaya (cane) and of tahtib-inspired choreography.