Mazaher

About

Mazaher is a Cairo-based ensemble founded in 1999 at the Egyptian Centre for Culture and Arts (Makan), dedicated to preserving zar - a communal ritual of polyrhythmic drumming, chant and trance rooted in East Africa and practiced across Egypt for centuries. Led by women, its core trio - Umm Sameh, Umm Hassan and Nour el Sabah - are widely regarded as among the last living practitioners of this tradition in Egypt. The group has performed across Europe, the Arab world and South Asia, and released the album 'Zar' on the Malmö- and Berlin-based label Ajabu! Records in 2020.

13+

Countries toured (Europe, Arab world, South Asia)

What's new

2026-01
Mazaher's Inkonst (Malmö) concert, originally scheduled for November 2025, was rescheduled to 2026 after visa issues prevented the ensemble from travelling.
2025-07
Mazaher continued their regular Wednesday residency at Makan in Cairo, with concerts listed through at least July 2025.
2024-09
Egyptian outlet Youm7 published a feature on Mazaher's ongoing performances at Makan in downtown Cairo, highlighting the ensemble's role as the sole remaining zar group in Egypt.
2024-02
Mazaher performed their regular Wednesday zar concerts at Makan in Cairo in February 2024, with two shows per evening.
2021
Mazaher performed at the WOMEX 2021 showcase in Porto and at Le Guess Who? festival in Utrecht, their first European appearances in over 15 years.