Arabic music is particularly diverse as it includes features from both North African and Western Asia traditions. An early Arabic musical form is recognised as stemming from ‘Jahili poets’ who would recite works whilst incorporating music elements as early as the 5th century. Singing was also assigned to women who would learn accompanying instruments. Around the 11th century music was diversifying and areas such as Al-Andalus became central to the production of musical instruments that would become very influential on key western instruments, such as the lute being derived from the oud. Following the period of the Ottoman Empire, there was a surge of musical nationalism across Arab countries. This was headed by Egypt and Cairo became the epicentre of musical modernisation.