Download Welcome to North Africa!

Welcome to
North Africa!
Sahara - Atlas Mountains - Salt Water Lakes
Common Throughout:
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Qur’anic Recitation
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Pronunciation, intonation, caesuras
Not considered music by Muslims
Zaffa (http://www.zaffa.co.uk/about.php)
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Arab musical wedding procession
Instruments: bendir drums, bagpipes, horns, belly dancers
(& men carrying flaming swords)
The Zaffa announces that the marriage is about to begin
Is an ancient tradition (pre-dating Islam)
3 Popular Egyptian Musicians:
Egypt is considered a transcontinental country
Amr Diab:
-best-selling Arab recording artist of all time
-singer/composer of Geel pop music
-blend of Western and Egyptian rhythms
-most popular music video: N'eoul Eih
www.amrdiab.net
Hakim:
-Egyptian Singer
-First person from an Arab
country to perform at a Nobel Peace
Prize event
Umm Kulthoumm:
-considered the greatest female
singer in Arab music history
-died in 1975
-genre “Arabic Pop”
Sudan
-Northern Sudanese:
-roots in Haqibah, a
harmonic a cappella
vocal style (uses the riq)
-music used to enhance
social/political movements
Hip-Hop:
-represents an avenue for
peace
-lyrics are used as an
educational tool to reach
child soldiers
Emmanuel Jal
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Former child soldier from Sudan
Saw his mother killed by the army
he was forced to join
Turned into a hip-hop artist to
sing/rap about his experiences
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Philanthropist (Gua-Africa, etc)
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Emma McCune
Ethiopia
-Mostly traditional music
Is heard (as opposed to
popular). A lot of their trad.
music is shifting to electronic
instrumentation.
-Brass Bands: long-standing
tradition that was introduced by
orphans from Jerusalem
-similar to Balkan Gypsy bands
-“Irikum” Example
The Maghreb:
In Islam, a prayer that occurs after sunset. The
region translates to “place of sunset” (I.e. west).
Libya
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Little or no pop music industry
Libyan folk music (Touareg people) includes intricate
clapping
Traveling poet singers have spread huda across Libya
(camel-drivers’ songs)
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The rhythm is said to mimic the feet of a walking camel
Tunisia
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Malouf: a type of music imported from the
Andalucian region of Spain
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Translates to “familiar” or “customary”
An emblem of National identity
Highly influenced by Turkish music
Algerian Rai
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Rai
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Algerian Folk music from Bedouin shepherds - combines
the sacred & secular
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Bedouin: Desert-dwelling Arab ethnic group
Began in 1930’s
Has lyrical themes about social issues
Instruments: Gaspa, Guellal, drum machine, synthesizer
Popular sub-genres: Wahrani, pop rai, Rai rock, Rai n’ B
Important Musician: Cheb Khaled (1992 Album - Khaled),
Algerian chaabi
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chaabi (popular):
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frequently found in weddings/ceremonies
Formalized by: El Hadj M’Hamed El Anka
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(d. 1978) - performed chaabi for 50 yrs
Notable song: “Lahmam lirabitou”
Inspired by Arab Andalucian music & Spanish flamenco
Typical song: Mournful Arabic/Berber vocals w/
accompaniment
Morocco
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Moroccan chaabi: frequently found in
weddings/ceremonies
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Similar to Rai (desert folk music)
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Artist: Najat Aatabou
 Song: “Hadi Kedba Bayna" ("Just Tell Me The Truth")
 Sampled by the Chemical Brothers - “Galvanize”
 British electronic dance duo
Mauritania
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QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Music is predominantly Moorish
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Musicians are the lowest caste (iggawin)
 Their role: to spread news between villages
3 ways to play in the Mauritanian Tradition:
“the white way” - Moors of North African stock
“the black way” - Moors of Sub-Saharan stock
“the mixed way” -
Ex: Bena & Beiba (“the black way”)