Egypt and Levant (Western Asia)
Egyptian

Bamboo, fiber string
Late-20th Century 
Length: 34.19 inches
Aerophones – Wind Instruments Proper – Reedpipes

The arghul is a double-pipe, single-reed bamboo instrument.  It is considered to be one of the oldest instruments of the Nile region of Egypt and Northeast Africa.  The arghul consists of a melody pipe and a drone pipe which are tied together and each with a separate single reed. They are made in various sizes (lengths) and are called a variety of names in various areas. 

This is large Egyptian arghul is made in nine parts and is tuned in the key of ‘D.’  The parts include the two mouthpieces of up-cut reeds; two short extension sections called luqma (‘mouthful’) which together (all four pieces) are placed inside the player’s mouth. Then there is the melody pipe with six fingerholes, and a drone pipe with its three extensions as seen here.  The pitch of the drone pipe can be changed by adding and removing the extensions.  Like the midjweh, (also found in this collection), circular breathing is employed.  The arghul is a popular folk instrument today, used by the Nile boatmen, shepherds, and professional folk musicians.  It is used to accompany the slow, sentimental mawwal songs, folk songs and ballads.

Reference: ‘Arghul’. William J. Conner, Milfie Howell/R. “The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments.” 2^nd ed., Vol. 1., Lawrence Libin, Editor in Chief. Oxford University Press.