Tag: Arab traditional music
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Traditional Baalbek Singers: Guardians of Lebanon’s Musical Soul
Traditional Baalbek Singers: Guardians of Lebanon’s Musical Soul Baalbek, a historic city in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, is not only known for its Roman temples, but also as the beating heart of Lebanon’s oral musical tradition. It has given rise to legendary performers who carried the soul of the land in their voices. Among the most…
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The Origins and Soul of ‘Atāba — Bedouin Poetry That Echoes Across Lebanon
‘Atāba is one of the oldest and most emotionally resonant forms of Bedouin music. Rooted in the deserts of Arabia, this genre of sung poetry migrated with nomadic tribes and found a new home in the mountains and plains of Lebanon. Today, it remains a living tradition in places like Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley.…
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The Evolution of Lebanese Dabke Music (1950s–2010s)
How did Lebanese Dabke music transform across the decades? From folklore to festival stages, from cassette tapes to global remixes—this is the story of Dabke’s musical heartbeat. 1950s–1960s: The Golden Folk Revival Dabke enters the national spotlight. Fairuz, Zaki Nassif, The Rahbani Brothers, and Sabah lead a cultural revival. Folk songs like Dalouna and Lamma…
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Hida (الحداء) – The Camel Chant That Lives On in Baalbek’s Bedouin Echoes
The chant of the camel rider—Hida, or al-Hidā’—is among the oldest known Bedouin musical forms, dating back to the pre-Islamic era. It began as a rhythmic chant sung by camel drivers to guide and soothe their animals across the vast Arabian deserts. But over centuries, Hida evolved into a potent symbol of Bedouin identity and…
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Where Did Dal3ona Really Come From? Folklore, Language, and the Lebanese Rhythm of Joy
“Dal3ona” is not just a song — it is the heart-thumping, foot-stomping soul of Lebanese Dabke. But where did this iconic chant really come from? Two compelling stories offer insight into its origin, both rich in cultural meaning. Some folklorists trace “Dal3ona” to the Aramaic root A‘awna, which means “to help.” This theory, supported by…
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