Qalzam village was in the north of what we call now the Suez Gulf since pharaonic times. This village had an important geographic situation, although other areas on the shores of Red Sea in Egypt were nearer to Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the Horn of Africa. Qalzam was renamed, Suez after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.
Because it was near to Nile Valley and Cairo, it soon become the most important port in Egypt for commerce between Egypt and other countries on the Red Sea and, after the Islamic conquest, the first terminal for Egyptians making the pilgrimage to Mecca.
In the Terminal many "Sanabiks" the Arabian word for boatmen, the word "Sonbok" means a boat, brought Semsimya with them to play and sing sitting in a circle during the docks they mixed with pilgrims and Suez people and met in "Al Hinna", the Arabic word for tavern, it means the place where all these people meet and sit playing Semsemya and singing.
Shipworkers coming from Port Said north of Sues Canal brought with them "Damma" Songs, they met with Sanabicks and Pilgrims in Those taverns and exchanged singing, playing and dancing in addition to the art of "Kaff", the Arabic word for hand, where they clap with their hands according to specific rhythms.
Those taverns become some sort of natural workshops thought which experiences, songs and music, were transferred especially Semsimya.
This rich living cultural tradition was endangered severely and was on the way of extinction after the cultural and economic open door policy in the 1970's of the 20th century, commerce and business were dominant and heritage arts were threatened by extinction.
Port Said Tanbura Group aided in founding "Hinna" Group in Sues in 1999, by some old artists and other members from younger generation, so as to preserve this heritage and to introduce it one more in it's homeland and outside if possible.
After collecting folkloric songs and necessary training sessions, the "Hinna" group introduced many performances in Sues first, then in Port Said and Ismailiyya, it also performed in the streets in Cairo and in some cultural center.
The group consists of 15 member signers, players and dancers.
Because it was near to Nile Valley and Cairo, it soon become the most important port in Egypt for commerce between Egypt and other countries on the Red Sea and, after the Islamic conquest, the first terminal for Egyptians making the pilgrimage to Mecca.
In the Terminal many "Sanabiks" the Arabian word for boatmen, the word "Sonbok" means a boat, brought Semsimya with them to play and sing sitting in a circle during the docks they mixed with pilgrims and Suez people and met in "Al Hinna", the Arabic word for tavern, it means the place where all these people meet and sit playing Semsemya and singing.
Shipworkers coming from Port Said north of Sues Canal brought with them "Damma" Songs, they met with Sanabicks and Pilgrims in Those taverns and exchanged singing, playing and dancing in addition to the art of "Kaff", the Arabic word for hand, where they clap with their hands according to specific rhythms.
Those taverns become some sort of natural workshops thought which experiences, songs and music, were transferred especially Semsimya.
This rich living cultural tradition was endangered severely and was on the way of extinction after the cultural and economic open door policy in the 1970's of the 20th century, commerce and business were dominant and heritage arts were threatened by extinction.
Port Said Tanbura Group aided in founding "Hinna" Group in Sues in 1999, by some old artists and other members from younger generation, so as to preserve this heritage and to introduce it one more in it's homeland and outside if possible.
After collecting folkloric songs and necessary training sessions, the "Hinna" group introduced many performances in Sues first, then in Port Said and Ismailiyya, it also performed in the streets in Cairo and in some cultural center.
The group consists of 15 member signers, players and dancers.