Simsimiyya

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/simsimiyya

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the instrument classification?Box or bowl lyre
2. What is the associated musical genres?Sawahli music, Bedouin narratives, and traditional Egyptian folk music
3. How many strings does a modern simsimiyya have?Modern versions can have up to twelve strings, while ancient ones had five.
4. Where is the simsimiyya most popular today?It is most popular in northern coastal Egypt, especially in Port Said, Ismailia, and Suez, and also in nearby countries like Libya, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

Lyre: A stringed instrument of the ancient world, characterized by a yoke and a soundbox, played by plucking.
Suhbagiyya: Performers in specific Egyptian cities who utilize the simsimiyya to accompany traditional songs and storytelling.
Intangible Cultural Heritage: The living expressions, traditions, and knowledge passed down through generations that define a community's cultural identity.