Emirati singer Ahlam. AFP
Emirati singer Ahlam. AFP
Emirati singer Ahlam. AFP
Emirati singer Ahlam. AFP

Music of the Arab World: The history and development of Khaleeji music


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

Despite the rapid economic growth of the Gulf, its indigenous music remained largely intact while gathering a bigger audience. In the fourth of our eight-part series on Music of the Arab World, Saeed Saeed takes a look at music from the Gulf region, known as Khaleeji music, and its growth from Bedouin beginnings to its current pop status.

The origins

Before the modern pop sheen of today's Khaleeji tunes, its history had it play a bigger role than simply entertainment. More than 50 years ago, before the borders of the GCC were established, the songs were vessels transmitting stories of Bedouin communities living in the desert and their fishing counterparts residing on the coast. Music, poetry and dance intermingled to portray stories from different communities. The eclecticism of those early sounds - with some encompassing influences from East Africa, Iran and India - indicate the region was a melting pot well before the skyscrapers and lavish hotels.

The poetry

There is a reason why the UAE and the wider Gulf celebrates poetry: it forms the DNA of the region's music. A Bedouin tradition or tribe is highlighted by its shaa'ir, which means poet, whose literary prowess earned him a leadership role within the community. Early Khaleeji music had poets reciting their works - which often dealt with the tales of camel riders, odes to warriors and love songs - accompanied by a rebab or rababa, an eighth-century stringed instrument defined by a tone similar to the human voice. Despite technological advances, some poetry continues to be passed down the generations orally, with new generations adding their bits of improvisation.

Music and dance

Khaleeji music has many variations linking to specific regions and countries. One of the most renowned forms are pearling songs. Practised along the coasts of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman, the songs were vocal tributes to the joys and hardships of sea life. The song structure is linked to the manner of performance. Those sung during the loading and unloading of sea cargo were often gruffer and made of short, intense bursts, while the entertainment variation were often longer and rhythms more languid. Qatar has its own range of local dances such as the Ardah. Traditionally performed on Friday afternoons, the Ardah has two rows of male dancers accompanied by a stream of percussion including drums, tambourines and cymbals as well as the spoken word. In Oman, the drummer-led Lewa dance, performed mostly during Eid celebrations, is traditionally performed by descendants of African slaves and is sung in Swahili. Sawt - meaning voice - is the most urban form of Gulf music and is akin to the blues. Accompanied by the oud, the genre incorporates Arab classical music with traditional poetry; songs are often book-ended with spoken word verses. Its associated dance, the Zaffan, is performed by two males and consists of kneeling and leaping motions. Sawt music is often performed at evening male-only gatherings. Leading artists include Kuwait's Shadi Al Khaleej (known as The Bird Song of The Gulf) and Bahrain's Sultan Hamed.

The Mutribah

Traditional Khaleeji music is not a male-dominated arena. Women had their own musical practices that similarly incorporate song and dance. Before the 1950s in what is now Qatar, a dance called the Moradah was popular, where women would go to the desert to perform without being seen by men. Dressed in their finest, the women would sing of societal issues including love, marriage and war. Today, female singers can be found performing in private parties and weddings. Normally performing as part of a group, the band is led by the Mutribah, normally the most gifted singer, while the others chime in with backing vocals and instrumentation.

The stars

The biggest name in Khaleeji music is the UAE's Hussain El Jasmi, since his 2001 breakout single Bawada'ak. The Khor Fakkan singer's albums have been big sellers, with a fan base stretching across the Arab world. His local concerts attract thousands of Emiratis, with multitudes of Gulf fans flying in to attend. Dubai's Ahlam is one of the Gulf's first pop stars. As well as releasing 10 albums and headlining Middle Eastern music festivals, she was also a judge on the MBC talent show Arab Idol. Saudi Arabia's Tariq Abdulhakeem is also a major player courtesy of his services as hit-songwriter for Gulf stars as well as an accomplished solo performer.

Next week, we will examine Islamic music

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

The biog

Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates

Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.

Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.

Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.

Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile 

Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran

Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep

The biog

Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Favourite music: Classical

Hobbies: Reading and writing

 

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank 

Getting there

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.

The stay

Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.

Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km