Recorded in Kom Ombo area in Upper Egypt for the compilation of field recordings titled Mono Egypt. Read, watch and listen more at bit.ly/monoegyp...
In the life of the Ababda people, music accompanies the mainly evening meetings of the men. They have little interest in either Western pop or tarab, the emotional Arabian style, preferring Sudanese music. This music is based on a repetitive rhythm interjected with accords from a home-made tanbur, a five-string lyre. The origin of this instrument is uncertain but it clearly resembles the modern Ethiopian krar and the ancient Hebrew kinnor - the lyre of King David. However, we should not expect lyrical solos on a tanbur, as they are the sole prerogative of the lead singer. This music is not for listening, but rather for collective dancing. Handclapping, slow rhythms on doff drums or empty plastic jerrycans, the rhythmic plunking the strings of tanbur, the short chants and murmurs of the choir - all these elements create an intensity urging our bodies to move. Dancers hold swords or sticks, and choreographic scores tell the history of the people, and allow the passing of knowledge. The men of the Ababda people love music and dance, and it is heard and expressed in the unhampered way they move.
The musicians who took part in the session were; Huh Abdul Bari al-Qusi - vocals, his son Abdullah - tanbur, Mohammed Omar - tar frame drum.
Buy Mono Egypt compilation here: bit.ly/monoegyp...
5 сен 2024
