File:Dance with Zar Masters.jpg

English: Asyad El Zar (Zar Masters)

Many people around the world know many ways to heal with music. For example, in the south of Italy, they have the "Tarantella" with the violin as the main instrument, while in Morocco it is called "Genawa", and its main instrument is the gembry (a plucked string instrument). These musics are similar in theme and rituals with Sudanese "Zar" and both use the same Pentatonic scale and similar rhythms.

It is believed that Zar exists in Egypt since the first half of the 19th century after the opening of Sudan in Mohamed Ali's era in 1820.

There are three types of Zar: 1-Sudanese Zar, related to the Ethiopian Zar which was popular in Cairo, Alexandria and the Canal cities, but then, lost popularity. Its main instrument is the tanbura (a super-size simsimia/lyre), and the musicians that play it are few: Hassan Bergamoon is one of the oldest tanbura players, along with El Araby Jackamo, and Emam Abo Samra considered Zar Masters.

2- Egyptian Zar, performed by women, is also disappearing and its practitioners are few: they include El Sheikha Zeinab, Raysa Shadya, and the two percussionists (drums, rattles and tambourine), Magda and Wiza, all Zar Masters.

3- Abul Gheit Zar brings in the Sufi element. Its main instrument is the kawala. (end-blown flute). The Abul Gheit Dervishes perform under the direction of Rayes Ahmed El Shankahawy.

The Zar Masters band is comprised of some of the few remaining Egyptian and Sudanese Zar performers (some of them are members of Rango band), playing the Tanbura, the Toza ( small 2 sides percussion) The Mangour, a wide belt of goat hooves worn around the hips), the Marakesh (hand-held rattles) and the Tambourine