Music And Traditions Of The Arabian Peninsula

Description: Music and Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula provides a pioneering overview of folk and traditional urban music, along with dance and rituals, of Saudi Arabia and the Upper Gulf States of Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. The nineteen chapters introduce variegated regions and subcultures and their rich and dynamic musical arts, many of which heretofore have been unknown beyond local communities. The book contains insightful descriptions of genres, instruments, poetry, and performance practices of the desert heartland (Najd), the Arabian/Persian Gulf shores, the great western cities including Makkah and Medinah, the southwestern mountains, and the hot Red Sea coast. Musical customs of distinctive groups such as Bedouin, seafarers, and regional women are explored. The book is packaged with an audio CD and almost 200 images including a full color photo essay, numerous music transcriptions, a glossary with over 400 specialized terms, and original Arabic script alongside key words to assist with further research. This book provides a much-needed introduction and organizational structure for the diverse and complex musical arts of the region.

Review: 'The rich and varied music and folk-dance traditions of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar are little known outside the eastern peninsular region itself. This pioneering and detailed guidebook to those arts is appropriate for both general readers and specialists. It covers the song and dance traditions of Bedouin tribes and villagers, the sophisticated music of the cities, and the songs of seafarers and pearl divers. Included are several accounts of women's wedding traditions, as well as a cd with 31 excellent audio examples... For anyone seekinga greater understanding of the traditional folk arts of the Arabian Peninsula, including those performed annually at the Saudi Janadriyah festival, this will also be a useful guide.' -KAY HARDY CAMPBELL, Aramco World Magazine

Contents: 1. Introduction PART I The Najd and Upper Gulf Region 2. Bedouin Arts 3. Bedouin Women's Music and Dance 4: Taggagat: Female Drumming Bands 5: Hadar Arts from the Najd: Songs with Drums 6: Hadar (Khammari) Arts in the Upper Gulf 7: Gulf Wedding Practices and Songs 8: Incoming Arts: African and Persian 9: Sea Music Traditions, and Saut PART 2 The Hijaz and Southwest Region 10. Hijazi Folk Traditions 11: Ta'if and Music 12: Art Music of the Hijazi Cities 13: Hijazi Women and Music Making 14: Distinguished Hijazi Artists 15: Introduction: Southwestern Arabia 16: Asir Genres and Traditions 17: Bisha and Baha Arts 18: Jizan Music and Dance 19: Musical Aspect of Najran Appendix: Comments on Contemporary Arts and 'Adani Glossary Bibliography Index



Author Biography: Lisa Urkevich Ph.D. is a professor of Musicology/Ethnomusicology and Chair of the Department of Music and Drama at the American University of Kuwait where she teaches courses on music and rituals of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States.