Sawt (Arabic: صوت / ALA-LC: Ṣawt; literally "voice"; also spelled sout or sowt) is a kind of popular music found in Kuwait and Bahrain.
History
editIt is said that sawt was established in Kuwait by the poet, composer, singer and oud player Abdallah al-Faraj (1836-1901/1903).[1][2] The Bahraini historian Mubārak al-'Ammārī believes that sawt was known in Kuwait before 1766, and in Bahrain since 1783.[2] Saleh and Daoud Al-Kuwaity were widely considered among one of its earliest pioneers.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Description
editSawt is a complex form of urban music, originally performed on the 'ud (plucked lute) and mirwas (a drum), with a violin later supplementing the arrangement.
Two men perform the dance, which is called "Zaffan". Al-Sout is performed only at night gatherings of men. It is called "Samra" (nightly chat).
References
edit- ^ a b Rolf Killius (2017). "The Cradle of Arabic Sawt Music: The Early Musician Generations in Kuwait". Qatar National Library.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ a b c Ahmad Ali AlSalhi (2021). "ṢAUT IN BAHRAIN AND KUWAIT: History and Creativity in Concept and Practice" (PDF). Royal Holloway, University of London.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "The Sawt in Kowait". Arab Sounds. 2021.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Jean Lambert (2020). "THE YEMENI SOURCES OF POETRY AND MUSIC IN THE SAWT OF THE GULF: THE ROLE OF THE ARABIAN DIASPORA IN INDIA". HAL (open archive).
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Jean Lambert (2016). "Thinking Historically, Being Present: Kuwait, Summer 2016". University of California, Los Angeles.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Urkevich, Lisa (2008). "Crossing Paths in the Middle East: Cultural Struggles of Jewish-Kuwaiti Musicians in the 20th Century". American Historical Association.
- ^ "The Jews of Arabia". BBC News. 13 December 2014.
Kuwaiti musicians Daoud Al-Kuwaiti (oud) and his brother Saleh (violin).
Further reading
edit- Muhammad Bin Faris Ensemble (2004). Sawt of Bahrein. Institut Du Monde Arabe. ASIN B00025DQEU.
- Al-Umayri Ensemble (2004). The Sawt in Kuwait. Institut Du Monde Arabe. ASIN B00027X3RI.
- Rovsing Olsen, Poul (2002). Music in Bahrain. David Brown Book Company. ISBN 87-88415-19-8.
- Various artists (1995). A Musical Anthology of the Arabian Peninsula, Volume 3 - Sowt, Music from the City. Gallo. ASIN B000004A2E.
See also
editExternal links
edit- Fan al Sawt music by the Ghalali music and dance group, Muharraq, Bahrain, 2009
- Audio samples from Zeryab.com
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