Egyptian music is a rich mixture of indigenous, Mediterranean, African and Western elements. In antiquity , Egyptians were playing harps and flutes, including two indigenous instruments: the ney and the oud . Percussion and vocal music also became an important part of the local music tradition ever since. Contemporary Egyptian music traces its beginnings to the creative work of people such as Abdu-l Hamuli, Almaz and Mahmud Osman, who influenced the later work of Egyptian music giants such as Sayed Darwish , Umm Kulthum , Mohammed Abdel Wahab and Abdel Halim Hafez . From the 1970s onwards, Egyptian pop music has become increasingly important in Egyptian culture, while Egyptian folk music continues to be played during weddings and other festivities.