Musicians of Amun, Tomb of Nakht, 18th Dyn, Western Thebes.

Egyptian music has been an integral part of Egyptian culture since ancient times. The ancient Egyptians credited the god Thoth with the invention of music, which Osiris in turn used as part of his effort to civilize the world. The earliest material and representational evidence of Egyptian musical instruments dates to the Predyanstic period, but the evidence is more securely attested in the Old Kingdom when harps, flutes and double clarinets were played.^[1] Percussion instruments, lyres and lutes were added to orchestras by the Middle Kingdom. Cymbals^[2] frequently accompanied music and dance, much as they still do in Egypt today. Egyptian folk music, including the traditional Sufi zikr rituals, are the closest contemporary music genre to ancient Egyptian music, having preserved many of its features, rhythms and instruments.^[3][4] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 554 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2024 × 2190 pixel, file size: 348 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Music of Egypt Talk:Egyptians ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 554 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2024 × 2190 pixel, file size: 348 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Music of Egypt Talk:Egyptians ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Eighteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt (1550-1292 BCE) – often combined with the nineteenth and twentieth dynasties under the group title, New Kingdom – is perhaps the most famous of all the dynasties of ancient Egypt. ... The Culture of Egypt has five thousand years of recorded history. ... , or , or [1] Thoth (Ramesseum, Luxor) Thoth, a Greek name derived from the Egyptian * (djih-how-tee) (written by Egyptians as ) was considered one of the most important deities of the Egyptian pantheon. ... Typical depiction of Osiris Osiris (Greek language, also Usiris; the Egyptian language name is variously transliterated Asar, Aser, Ausar, Wesir, or Ausare) is the Egyptian god of life, death, and fertility. ... The Predynastic Period of Egypt (prior to 3100 BC) is traditionally the period between the Early Neolithic and the beginning of the Pharaonic monarchy beginning with king Narmer. ... The Old Kingdom is the name commonly given to that period in the 3rd millennium BC when Egypt attained its first continuous peak of civilization complexity and achievement – this was the first of three so-called Kingdom periods, which mark the high points of civilization in the Nile Valley (the... The harp is a stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicular to the soundboard. ... The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. ... The double clarinet (or zummara) is a Middle Eastern musical instrument consisting of two parallel cane or bamboo pipes, with five or six holes each. ... A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound by being struck with an implement, shaken, rubbed, scraped, or by any other action which sets the object into vibration. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... A medieval era lute. ... The Middle Kingdom is a period in the history of ancient Egypt stretching from the establishment of the Eleventh Dynasty to the end of the Fourteenth Dynasty, roughly between 2030 BC and 1640 BC. The period comprises of 2 phases, the 11th Dynasty, which ruled from Thebes and the 12th... For the Japanese rock band, see Cymbals (band). ... “Folk song” redirects here. ... Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a system of esoteric philosophy commonly associated with Islam. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Khafres Pyramid (4th dynasty) and Great Sphinx of Giza (c. ...

In general, modern Egyptian music blends these indigenous traditions with Turkish, Arabic, and Western elements. Arabic music is usually said to have begun in the 7th century in Syria during the Umayyad dynasty. Early Arabic music was influenced by Byzantine, Indian and Persian forms, which were themselves heavily influenced by earlier Greek, Semitic, and ancient Egyptian music. The tonal structure of Arabic music is defined by the maqamat, loosely similar to Western modes, while the rhythm of Arabic music is governed by the awzan (wazn, sing.), formed by combinations of accented and unaccented beats and rests. Arabic music includes several genres and styles of music ranging from Arab classical to Arabic pop music and from secular to sacred music. ... The 7th century is the period from 601 - 700 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian Era. ... The Courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, one of the grandest architectural legacies of the Umayyads. ... Byzantine music is the music of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) and by extension the music of its culture(s) as they continued in the Orthodox Christian parts of the population after the fall of the empire to the rule of the Ottoman Empire. ... Figurines playing stringed instruments, excavated at Susa, 3rd millennium BC. Iran National Museum. ... Semitic is an adjective which in common parlance mistakenly refers specifically to Jewish things, while the term actually refers to things originating among speakers of Semitic languages or people descended from them, and in a linguistic context to the northeastern subfamily of Afro-Asiatic. ... Khafres Pyramid (4th dynasty) and Great Sphinx of Giza (c. ... In music, a maqam [sic] (plural maqamat) is a technique of improvisation that defines the pitches, patterns, and development of a piece of music. ...

Front and rear views of the oud.

Since the 1970s, Egyptian pop music has become increasingly important in Egyptian culture, particularly among the large youth population of Egypt. Egyptian folk music continues to be played during weddings and other traditional festivities. In the last quarter of the 20th century, Egyptian music was a way to communicate social and class issues. Among some of the most popular Egyptian pop singers today are Mohamed Mounir and Amr Diab. An oud. ... An oud. ... Front and rear views of an oud. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ... For popular forms of music in general, see Popular music. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... List of major social issues overpopulation teenage pregnancy drug abuse gun control education issue singlemother increase in divorce rate increase in HI rate ... Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions between individuals or groups in societies or cultures. ... Mohamed Mounir, Fe Eshk El Banat on an album cover Mohamed Mounir (Arabic:محمد منير) (born October 10, 1954) is a Nubian-Egyptian singer who was born in Aswan, Egypt. ... Amr Abdel Basset Abdul Azeez Diab (Arabic:عمرو عبد الباسط عبد العزيز دياب) is an Egyptian musician, born on October 11, 1961 in Port Said, Egypt. ...

Religious music remains an essential part of traditional Muslim and Coptic celebrations called mulids. Mulids are held in Egypt to celebrate the saint of a particular mosque or church. Muslim mulids are related to the Sufi zikr ritual. The Egyptian flute, called the ney, is commonly played at mulids. The liturgical music of the Coptic Church also constitutes an important element of Egyptian music and is said to have preserved many features of ancient Egyptian music. Religious music (also sacred music) is music performed or composed for religious use or through religious influence. ... Islam (Arabic:  ) is a monotheistic religion based upon the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure. ... Jesus Christ in a Coptic icon. ... In traditional Christian iconography, Saints are often depicted as having halos. ... The Masjid al-Haram in Mecca as it exists today A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ... It has been suggested that Ecclesia (Church) be merged into this article or section. ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ... Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a system of esoteric philosophy commonly associated with Islam. ... Arabic. ... The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Christ - Coptic Art Coptic Orthodox Christianity is the indigenous form of Christianity that, according to tradition, the apostle Mark established in Egypt in the middle of the 1st century AD (approximately AD 60). ...

Modern pop and folk traditions

Contemporary Egyptian music traces its beginnings to the creative work of luminaries such as Abdu-l Hamuli, Almaz and Mahmud Osman, who were all patronized by Khedive Ismail, and who influenced the later work of Sayed Darwish, Umm Kulthum, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Abdel Halim Hafez, Zakariyya Ahmad and other Egyptian music giants. Ismail Pasha Ismail Pasha, known as Ismail the Magnificent (December 31, 1830–March 2, 1895) (Arabic: إسماعيل باشا), was khedive of Egypt from 1863 until he was removed at the behest of the British in 1879. ... Sayed Darwish was an Egyptian singer and composer who was considered the father of Arab popular music. ... Umm Kulthum (Arabic: أم كلثوم other English spellings include: Om Kalthoum, Oum Kalsoum, Oum Kalthum, Omm Kolsoum, Umm Kolthoum, Um Kalthoom) (c. ... Mohammed Abdel Wahab, also transliterated Mohammed Abd el-Wahaab (1907 - May, 1991), is a prominent 20th century Arab-Egyptian singer and composer. ... Abdel Halim Ismael Shabana (Arabic: عبدالحليم إسماعيل شبانة) commonly known as Abdel Halim Hafez (Arabic: عبد الحليم حافظ) (June 21, 1929 – March 30, 1977), was one of the most popular Egyptian singers and actors not only in Egypt but throughout the Middle East from the 1950s to the 1970s. ... Zakariyya Ahmad was an Arabic musician and composer who was born and lived in Egypt. ...

Egyptian music began its recorded history in the 1910s, around the time composers such as Sayed Darwish were incorporating western musical forms into their work. Some of the Middle East's biggest musical stars have been Egyptian. Kulthum was especially popular, and is considered the most successful Egyptian recording artist in history. Most of these stars, including Kulthum, were part of the classical Egyptian and Arabic music tradition. Some, like Abd el-Halim Hafez, were associated with the Egyptian nationalist movement in 1952. // The 1910s represent the culmination of European militarism which had its beginnings during the second half of the 19th Century. ... Abd el-Halim Hafez (1927-1977) was known as the Nightingale of the Nile. In a society that generally reserves true respect for the old, it surprised everyone when Abd El-Halim Hafez took over the musical arena in his early twenties to become the golden boy of the nationalist... Eugène Delacroixs Liberty Leading the People, symbolising French nationalism during the July Revolution. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Folk and roots revival

The 20th century has seen Cairo become associated with a roots revival. Musicians from across Egypt are keeping folk traditions alive, such as those of rural Egyptians (fellahin), the Nubians, and the Arab and Berber Bedouins. Mixtures of folk and pop have also risen from the Cairo hit factory. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Nickname: Egypt: Site of Cairo (top center) Coordinates: Government  - Governor Dr. Abdul Azim Wazir Area  - City 214 km²  (82. ... A roots revival (folk revival) is a trend which includes young performers popularizing the traditional musical styles of their ancestors. ... Charles Gleyre, Three Fellahs (fr. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Languages Arabic other minority languages Religions Predomiantly Sunni Islam, as well as Shia Islam, Greek Orthodoxy, Greek Catholicism, Maronite, Alawite Islam, Druze, Ibadi Islam, and Judaism An Arab (Arabic: ) is any member of the Semitic group of people whose cultural, linguistic, and in certain cases, ancestral origins trace back to... The Amazighs (also called Berber people or Imazighen (ⵉⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖⴻⵏ), free men, singular Amazigh) are an ethnic group autochthonous to Northwest Africa and speak various Berber languages. ... A Bedouin man resting on a hillside at Mount Sinai Bedouin, derived from the Arabic ( ‎), a generic name for a desert-dweller, is a term generally applied to Arab nomadic pastoralist groups, who are found throughout most of the desert belt extending from the Atlantic coast of the Sahara via...

Sawahli (coastal) music is a type of popular music from the northern coast, and is based around the simsimaya, an indigenous stringed instrument. Well-known singers include Abdo'l Iskandrani and Aid el-Gannirni. A string instrument (also stringed instrument) is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. ...

Coptic

Main article: Coptic music

Coptic Deacons chanting with the cymbals

Coptic music is the liturgical music of the Coptic Church. It consists mainly of chanted hymns in rhythm with instruments such as cymbals (hand and large size) and the triangle. It has preserved some features of ancient Egyptian music, and few of its melodies are identified and labeled as Syrian (called Shamy in the Coptic Church) or Byzantine (called Roumy or Roman in the Coptic Church). Coptic music is music that is played in the Coptic Orthodox Church (of Egypt). ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The word Copt signifies the natives of Egypt as a nationality, and in popular common culture in Egypt it is used to specifically signify Christian Egyptians, although its use to mean Egyptian is not unwitnessed. ... For the Japanese rock band, see Cymbals (band). ... Coptic music is music that is played in the Coptic Orthodox Church (of Egypt). ... Liturgical music originated as a part of religious ceremony, and includes a number of traditions, both ancient and modern. ... Christ - Coptic Art Coptic Orthodox Christianity is the indigenous form of Christianity that, according to tradition, the apostle Mark established in Egypt in the middle of the 1st century AD (approximately AD 60). ... See also hymn - a program to decrypt iTunes music files. ... For the Japanese rock band, see Cymbals (band). ... An old-fashioned triangle, with wand (beater) Angelika Kauffmann: LAllegra, 1779 The triangle is an idiophone type of musical instrument in the percussion family. ... Christ - Coptic Art Coptic Orthodox Christianity is the indigenous form of Christianity that, according to tradition, the apostle Mark established in Egypt in the middle of the 1st century AD (approximately AD 60). ... The Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centered at its capital in Constantinople. ... Christ - Coptic Art Coptic Orthodox Christianity is the indigenous form of Christianity that, according to tradition, the apostle Mark established in Egypt in the middle of the 1st century AD (approximately AD 60). ...

Bedouin

Bedouin music is found in the deserts of the west, near Libya, and the eastern Sinai area. The mizmar, a twin-pipe clarinet, is the most popular folk instrument, and popular singers include Awad e'Medic. The Bedouin are a people who inhabit the Middle East. ... Sinai Peninsula, Gulf of Suez (west), Gulf of Aqaba (east) from Space Shuttle STS-40 For other uses of the word Sinai, please see: Sinai (disambiguation). ... In Arabic music, a mizmar is any single or double reed wind instrument. ... Two soprano clarinets: a Bâ™­ clarinet (left, with capped mouthpiece) and an A clarinet (right, with no mouthpiece). ...

Saidi (Upper Egyptian)

Egyptian musicians from Upper Egypt play a form of folk music called saidi (Upper Egyptian). Metqal Qenawi's Les Musiciens du Nil are the most popular saidi group, and were chosen by the government to represent Egyptian folk music abroad. Other performers include Shoukoukou, Ahmad Ismail, Omar Gharzawi, Sohar Magdy and Ahmed Mougahid. Map of Upper and Lower Egypt Ancient Egypt was divided into two kingdoms, known as Upper and Lower Egypt. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Nubian

Nubians are native to the south of Egypt and northern Sudan, though many live in Cairo and other cities. Nubian folk music can still be heard, but migration and intercultural contact with Egyptian and other musical genres have produced new innovations. Ali Hassan Kuban's jazz fusions had made him a regular on the world music scene, while Mohamed Mounir's social criticism and sophisticated pop have made him a star among Nubians, Egyptians, and other people worldwide. Ahmed Mounib, Mohamed Mounir's mentor, was by far the most notable Nubian singer to hit the Egyptian music scene, singing in both Egyptian Arabic and his native Nobiin. Hamza El Din is another popular Nubian artist, well-known on the world music scene and has collaborared with the Kronos Quartet. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Nickname: Egypt: Site of Cairo (top center) Coordinates: Government  - Governor Dr. Abdul Azim Wazir Area  - City 214 km²  (82. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Jazz is a musical art form that originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States around the start of the 20th century. ... World music is, most generally, all the music in the world. ... Mohamed Mounir, Fe Eshk El Banat on an album cover Mohamed Mounir (Arabic:محمد منير) (born October 10, 1954) is a Nubian-Egyptian singer who was born in Aswan, Egypt. ... Mohamed Mounir, Fe Eshk El Banat on an album cover Mohamed Mounir (Arabic:محمد منير) (born October 10, 1954) is a Nubian-Egyptian singer who was born in Aswan, Egypt. ... Egyptian Arabic (MarÄ« مصري) is part of the Arabic macrolanguage of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. ... Nobiin is a Nubian language spoken along the banks of the Nile river in southern Egypt and northern Sudan by approximately 495 000 people. ... This article or section is missing references or citation of sources. ... Kronos Quartet in 2006. ...

Popular music

Until the late 1980s, classical singers like Umm Kulthum were Egypt's biggest pop stars. By the middle of the 1990s, though, el gil and shaabi music had taken over, especially among young audiences. The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ... Arab music is the music of Arabic-speaking people or countries, especially those centered around the Arabian Peninsula. ... Umm Kulthum (Arabic: أم كلثوم other English spellings include: Om Kalthoum, Oum Kalsoum, Oum Kalthum, Omm Kolsoum, Umm Kolthoum, Um Kalthoom) (c. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Starting in the late 1960s, light song emerged as the first modern Egyptian pop tradition. Often nationalist in tone, light songs were humorous and sometimes risqué. It was dominated by singers like Aida el-Shah and Layla Nazmy, who were popular in middle-class communities. The working class youth of Egypt reacted against light songs and shaabi music evolved out of Cairo's poorest districts. Shaabi began entering the mainstream of Egyptian society in 1971, with the breakthrough success of Ahmed Adaweyah. The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday. ... Ahmed Adaweyah (Arabic: احمد عدوية) is an Egyptian singer and he was the first big star of shaabi music during its first wave of popularity in the 1970s. ...

Shaabi

Adaweyah, by far the most popular Egyptian shaabi singer in the history of Egyptian music, initially gained controversy for his lyrics, which were often humorous, salacious and highly critical of social rules and respectable society. By the 1980s, shaabi was being influenced by music from the United Kingdom and United States, as well as other Egyptian pop stars. Electric guitars, synthesizers, and later beat boxes, were integrated into the music, which is now highly-polished and meant for mainstream consumption. Today, the most popular shaabi stars are Hakeem and Shaaban Abdel Rahim. Ahmed Adaweyah (Arabic: احمد عدوية) is an Egyptian singer and he was the first big star of shaabi music during its first wave of popularity in the 1970s. ... Left: Rosa Hurricane, a heavy metal-style solid body guitar. ... A synthesizer (or synthesiser) is an electronic musical instrument designed to produce electronically generated sound, using techniques such as additive, subtractive, FM, physical modelling synthesis, phase distortion, or Scanned synthesis. ... Beatboxing is the vocal percussion of hip hop culture and music. ... Musical Styles: Shaabi Middle Eastern Belly Dance Hakim was born in Maghagha, a small town in Minya, Egypt, in 1962, Hakim grew up with the sound of working-class tradition of Shabi; the root of Egyptian southern. ... Shaaban Abdel Rahim (also known as Shabola) is an Egyptian pop (Shabi) singer, best known for catchy songs with political lyrics and his outrageously tacky and flamboyant sense of fashion. ...

el Gil

el gil music genre arose in the 70s. It was dance-pop modeled after foreign rock and roll and pop music, and it included distinctively Egyptian characteristics. Hamid el Shaery, a Libyan living in Egypt, was the most influential of el-Gil''s early performers. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Dance music is music composed or played specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... For popular forms of music in general, see Popular music. ...

External links

• Coptic Orthodox Music of Egypt at Saint Takla Haymanout Church
• Ghostly Echoes: an essay on Egypt and its contemporary music!

Notes

References

• Lodge, David and Bill Badley. "Partner of Poetry". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp 323-331. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0