Palestinian Culture PalestinianMusic


Palestinian music is both linked to and distinct fromthe larger world of Arabicmusic. Based around set rhythms rather than specific lyrics, the various forms of this traditional music are related both to the songs of workers and to celebrations such as weddings. Today, this traditional music is still heard in such celebrations. During the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, music has become increasingly political, focusing on the struggle and on expressions of patriotism. Others see the teaching of music as a way to present Palestinians, particularly children,with an alternative to the violence of daily life under occupation and as a source of pride in Palestinian heritage and culture. For this reason, musical education programs have appeared in many Palestinian towns and refugee camps.


The traditional instruments of Palestinianmusic include theoud, anancestorof the lute and guitar, the tabla, a drum, and the flute. Jane Shaw, the sound designer of Food and Fadwa, is collaborating with traditionalmusicians George Ziadeh and Amir El Saffar to create originalmusic to accompany the production. Followthe links belowto see these musicians in performance.


Tarabwith George Ziadeh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Cql-nubRg Amir El Saffar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHM-phqp22o Arab Idol


“OK, but tonightArab Idol.” Auntie Samia, Food and Fadwa


Over the past decade, more and more Western-style television has been coming to the Arab world, including Palestine. One of the most popular of these shows isArab Idol,which brings contestants in fromaround theArab- speaking world to compete in a singing competition. Discussing the show and thewider spread of such programming in his article “MIPTV 2012: From 'Arab Idol' toTurkish 'Housewives,' theMideast IsHot forAmericanTV,” Scott Roxboroughwrites:


Arab Idol was an instant hit: Asmany as 43 percent of Saudi viewers tuned in, and the show has a half-million Facebook fans and 27million views on YouTube.MBC gets around Saudi Arabia's proscriptive religious laws by being based inmore liberal Dubai and broadcasting across the Arabworld.


PalestinianWeddings


“OK. Acrash course on Palestinianweddings:


parties. A party three days


before thewedding, a party two days before the


wedding, a party to take a break fromparties before


thewedding. And for every party, FOOD.”


Fadwa, Food and Fadwa


Wedding celebrations in Christian Palestine traditionally lasted up to seven dayswith many celebrations and social gatherings throughout. Recently, this has been curtailed in some urban areas due to increased cost. Certain ceremonies involve all the guests, while others are formen and women separately. One such is the shaving party, inwhich the groom’s beard is shaved by his friends. In Food and Fadwa, Youssif explains, “We’re celebrating his last days as a singleman – we’re cleaning himup, kind of. Getting him ready for a new life.”Music and singingmark this event and provide the background for most othermoments of thewedding celebrations. The links belowshowa shaving party for the groomheld by an Arab-American family inMichigan and wedding guests at anotherwedding ululating and celebrating with the bride.


Zyane. Traditional Pre-wedding Shaving of the Groom. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulWv6Te3zNI


Celebrating with the Bride www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaz82eJTkK4


4 Oud literally


means “thinwood,” referring to the traditional building of the instrument. It is believed that the oud was originally created in Persia about 3,500 years ago. It is the ancestor of the guitar by way of the lute, whose name comes directly fromthe Arabic “al oud.” The size of the instrument aswell as the number of strings vary by region.


MBC/www.thenational.ae


www.mideastweb.org


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