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Ahmed Said Abuamna hails from the Beja tribe, found in the Red Sea State of Eastern Sudan. His traditional instrument is a 5-string lyre called Masankop or Basankop. Abuamna is also an accomplished keyboardist, poet, singer and composer, and has recorded four albums playing modern as well as traditional instruments. In March 2006 he won first place in the Celebration of Songs contest in Port Sudan, and in April 2006 performed at the Festival of Peace in the Al-Gazira State in Central Sudan. He also took second place in the 5th annual Artist and Poet Unity Festival in May 2008. In June 2009, Abuamna came to Cairo and started the Otaak Band with musicians from Eritrea, Sudan and America. Otaak, with the Basankop as the lead instrument, plays traditional Eastern Sudanese music, as has performed at several venues in Cairo, including the Makan Center of Egyptian Culture and the American Embassy Club (Maadi House).