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Systrum

Roosebeck Tahya Ceremonial Systrum, Egyptian-Inspired Percussion

Roosebeck Tahya Ceremonial Systrum, Egyptian-Inspired Percussion
16" Tall Rosewood Nickel Silver Jingles Snake-Shaped Rods Ceremonial

Ideal for: Percussion ensembles, ritual and chanting practices, dance accompaniment, and collectors of ceremonial instruments

An Ancient Egyptian-inspired ceremonial percussion piece, hand-crafted in rosewood.

The systrum is one of humanity's oldest documented percussion instruments, sacred in Ancient Egyptian ritual and used by priestesses of Hathor and Isis. The Tahya Ceremonial Systrum brings that tradition into a robust, modern instrument suited to professional, collegiate, and community percussion ensembles. Sixteen inches tall, hand-carved from rosewood, with nickel silver jingles strung on rods deliberately shaped like snakes in keeping with the historical iconography. Beyond its musical role, it stands on its own as an object of art, a piece you'll want on display.

Bright, Shimmering Ceremonial Voice

Nickel silver jingles strung on the snake-shaped rods produce a bright, shimmering rattle when shaken, the same essential sound profile that made the systrum central to Egyptian ritual for thousands of years. The tone adds a wonderful new texture to chanting, drumming, and dance, and cuts through ensemble settings without overpowering.

About the jingles: Nickel silver produces a brighter, longer-sustaining tone than brass. Strung on snake-shaped rods, the jingles travel along the curve as you shake the instrument, creating a subtle rolling shimmer.

Rosewood with Snake-Shaped Rods

The frame is rosewood, finished to highlight the natural grain. The horizontal rods that hold the nickel silver jingles are deliberately shaped like snakes, a direct reference to the serpent imagery that runs through systrum iconography in Ancient Egyptian temple art.

About the snake motif: In Egyptian iconography, the systrum was often shown with the head of Hathor flanked by serpents. The snake-shaped rods on this instrument honor that visual tradition while serving the practical role of holding the jingles.

Many Ways to Play

Hold the systrum by the handle and shake, gentle motion produces a soft shimmer, energetic motion produces a fuller rattle. The instrument adapts to ritual chanting, dance accompaniment, drum-circle texture work, and ensemble percussion alike. You can also tap the frame for additional rhythmic possibilities.

To learn more about the history and ceremonial use of the systrum, visit hathorsystrum.com.

Display piece: When you're not playing, the Tahya stands beautifully on a desk, shelf, altar, or studio surface. Many owners use theirs as much for its visual presence as for its sound.

Technical Specifications

Height 16 inches
Frame Rosewood
Jingles Nickel silver, on snake-shaped rods
Dimensions 16 inches L × 6 inches W × 2 inches H
Weight 1 lb
Origin Pakistan

What's in the Box

Every Tahya Ceremonial Systrum ships ready to play and ready to display.

Tahya Systrum Owner's Guide (PDF)

Have questions about this instrument? Contact us or browse all Roosebeck instruments.

Questions about this instrument?
Talk to our team  or browse all systrum.
View full details
Tradition you can feel, craftsmanship you can hear.
Solid tonewoods
Cured, cut, and chosen for sound.
Voiced by hand
Fretboards dressed, action set, bridges fit by our luthiers.
Made to be played
Built for working musicians, designed to sound better the more you play it.
Since 1973
Five decades of building instruments that last generations.

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