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Music in North Africa and Middle East : Islam
n Music in Islam n Temperament and Tuning systems n All systems based on melody and rhythm
without considerations of harmony in the Western manner
n All are `classical’ systems – some very ancient – with an articulated theory and practice.
n All have some system of pedagogy – some have a notational and have a conserved repertory. Play Fariboz
Common elements
n Theory based on melody/scales that articulate a tonal system that is different to that of the West.
n Common instrument types – zither, lute, small pitched drums
n Simple reed instruments – shawms, etc n Long period of study and a master/student
relationship n Small ensembles or individual musicians n All have folk musics that are distinct from their
classical tradition - that usually has its origin in some sort of past court society
Munrow on reeds
Books on the Subject
n William P. Malm, Music Cultures of the Pacific, The Near East, and Asia (New Jersey, 1977)
n Hormoz Farhat, The Dastgah Concept in Persian Music (Cambridge, 1990)
n T.C Lai and Robert Mok, Jade Flute – The Story of Chinese Music (Hongkong, 1981)
Elizabeth May, ed. Music of Many Cultures (1989).
Music in Islam
n Most conspicuous cultural feature of West Asia and North Africa. Islam covers a sixth of world population.
n Greater numbers live in Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria and North Africa than in the West Asia heartland.
n West Asia home of Islam – and includes, Iran, Iraq, Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan and countries of former Soviet Union (Turkmenistan,Uzbekistan, Armenia, etc).
n Includes all that the west calls – the Middle East, plus much more.
n Includes the area known as the Maqam World
Islamic World
History of Islam n Pre-Islam area of Persian Empire, Hindu, Eastern
Christian, etc all fell to Islam. n Muhammad received revelations from God via
Archangel Gabriel in 610 in Mecca. Claimed to be not starting a new religion - but bringing to Arab peoples the religion of the One God. A continuation of Jewish and Christian beliefs.
n Then under his grandsons a huge explosion of empire building took place as it expanded in all directions.
n Inherited cultural systems of Persia, Rome and Greek Byzantium.
n Insured the spread of Arabic language and culture.
Islamic History n Split into Shia (partisians of Ali) and Sunni muslims. n Umayyad dynasty moved centres of power to Damascus, and
under to Abbasids to Bagdad. n Turks arrive - Seljuks were Asiastic and intolerant. n Mongols and Ottomans – tested Islamic unity – Mongol empire
short lived – in their wake came the Ottomans – created huge empire and overran Constantinople in 1433. Only stopped from taking over Europe in 17th century.
n Ottoman empire declined in 19th century and ended with 1st WW. Then Britain stepped in.
n Since then Islam politically split – and has suffered from political interference from the West – first British and then American
Cultural and Artistic Traditions n Great diversity but elements of unity throughout. n 5 Duties (Quaran, Pray 5 times a day, give alms, fast in
Ramadan, go to Mecca). n Shari’a traditions restrictive, Sunnis less so – but Sufi
traditions of mysticism and observance through poetry, dance, music and trance – recognised and traditionally tolerated – though not under fundamentalist regimes.
n Islamic cantillation observed even in most restrictive areas. Heard throughout Islamic world.
n Also status of poet musicians in most Islamic societies. n Gender restrictions in music apply in all Islamic countries
to a greater or lesser extent.
Sufi traditions
n Most islamic traditions give respect to sufi poets and thinkers of the past.
n Music (especially classical Islamic music) is often associated with sufi traditions.
n The central theme is love of good – but it is mystical and poetic – may involve trance and dance – and music.
Sufi Music
Classical Styles - Persian
n Persian the oldest going back to pre-Islamic periods. But very strong in great Sufi periods of 13th –15th centuries with poets like Rumi, Hafez, etc. Maintains its own language (Farsi)
n Theory system based on Dashgars – largely improvised and from a knowledge of the Radif.
n Instruments – tar, setar, santur (play), nay, qanun, kamanche, tombac and voice.
Forms of heterophony
n Forms of heterophony universal. Deeply felt and emotional music – serious and high art. Listen to Dashgah Charhargh played on the Tar
Tar
Classical Styles - Arabic
n Maqam theory – developed in medieval period (9th-11th centuries) by Arabic musical theorists who were aware of Greek musical theories.
n Idea of a suite of movements nawba – beginning with improvisatory prelude (which outlines the maquam) moving to more rhythmic movements.
n More popular traditions in the West (Andalus) which go back to Ziryab. More orthodox and serious in East.
n Instruments – ud, qanun, nay, darabukka
Classical Styles - Turkey
n Turks are different race with a different language.
n Different modes (makamlar), 24 divisions of the scale.
n Janissary bands music preserved in notation from 17th century.
n Ottoman period secular traditions influenced sacred. Mevlevi and Konya. Sufi traditions underpine.
n Instruments – Ud, tambur (long necked lutes), rabab, pairs of kettle drums. Play Taksim on Ud
Other Areas – Afghanistan and Pakistan
n Amalgam of traditions from India and Persia. n Instruments – fiddle, rubab, tabla in Afganistan.
Indian instruments in Pakistan. n Elements of Hindustani music and Sufi ideas. n Contast between high-minded ideas of musician/
poet of Persian tradition; and of barbar class of hereditary musicians in Pakistan.
n Problems with cultural positioning of music as an acceptable art always present.
n All music was banned by the Taliban. n Play Rubab music played by John Bailey
Afganistan n Music before Taliban Occupation n Discover the source of censorship and when it started n The extent of the ban and its justification
9/11 The beginning of the end for Taliban occupation in Afghanistan
First reported instances of censorship n Refugee camps in Pakistan and Iran n Reasons n given were to maintain a continual state of mourning for the soldiers
killed in past battles n The core of the Taliban ideology for censorship lie in the way these
camps were run.
How the ban was imposed n Musical instruments, TV’s, Videos and any representation of
animate beings were publicly destroyed. n Anyone caught defying the ban was punished.
Taliban rules regarding music
n Prevent music publicly, n shops, hotels, vehicles n anyone listening to music should be punished n dancing and singing at weddings forbidden, if
caught the head of the family would be punished.
At its most severe
n Victims were draped in the innards of cassette and video tapes,
n they would then be paraded around the streets as a deterrent to others
n before being shot and hung from a tree.
Further afield
n Other Islamic countries (Nigeria, Tanzania, Indonesia, Malaysia,etc.) where Islam is the state religion or where it is strongly felt, are also influenced by Muslim ideas on music.
n Many such countries also use traditional Islamic instruments (spiked fiddle, lutes, etc).
n With all such countries the place of music in life may well be prescribed, and have to conform to a greater or lesser extent to the orthodox view.
Popular Traditions
n In all Islamic countries there are local popular traditions that survive and are tolerated – quite apart from art music traditions. E.g. Egypt
n Play Oud kalthoum n All countries are affected by Western Popular Music.
Some react with defensively, others incorporated elements (amplification is almost universally welcomed), but all are affected.