Editorial photo #11197602 Economy, Business and Finance
Simsimiya Musical Instrument Manufacture
Mohamed Ghaly, a 57-year-old simsimiya maker, is crafting the traditional instrument in Port Said, Egypt, on April 29, 2024. The simsimiya, which has its origins in the Pharaonic instrument known as the kanara, resembles a smaller version of the current harp with seven strings made from animal intestines. This instrument made its way to the canal cities through the people of Upper Egypt who worked on the Suez Canal, evolving into the modern simsimiya. This version consists of a wooden box, a bowl, or a sheet plate covered with thin skin, featuring two widely spaced arms known as the outrigger and a third arm forming a triangular base called a strap. These parts are held together with strong threads made from the nerves of Al-Tur and are often decorated with beads, inscriptions, and pendants. (Photo by Mahmoud Elkhwas/NurPhoto)
