What is the name of the fretted long-necked lute, larger than the oud and strung with metal strings, that is characteristic of Upper Egyptian folk music and played with a plectrum in driving, rhythmic patterns?

• A Rababa ✓
• B Simsimiya
• C Semsemiya
• D Mizmar

The rababa (also called rebab or rababa al-sha'ir) is a spike-fiddle — a long-necked bowed instrument with one or two horsehair strings and a coconut-shell resonator covered with fish skin — that is the essential melodic instrument of the epic singers (shu'ara) of Upper Egypt who recite the Hilali epic cycle.