Musical Instrument
Musical instrument, late 20th century AD, Wood, string and bitumen, l. 27 cm
This musical instrument, which is called a ‘zummer’ in Arabic, is a form of flute. It is made of wood and has two tubes, each of which has five holes. The holes are used by being closed by the player’s fingers, so that the air, and, therefore, the sound, can be regulated during its use. The instrument is blown from the end which is covered by bitumen, and the other end is sealed by two pieces of wood and tied with two pieces of string. The instrument is of a very ancient form, which has been used continually since antiquity, and whose use is well attested in the Phoenician and Greco-Roman world throughout the Mediterranean area, including Lebanon. In addition to the drum and cymbals, this instrument is used for musical performances in the village, which is an important part of the cultural life of the people.