The Rababa:
The rababa is a two string bowed instrument, similar to the
violin or a small cello, that is arguably the oldest string instrument. It was
used primarily by story tellers and folk singers but popularity for the instrument
declined when the European violin was introduced.
Raqs Sharqi:
Raqs Sharqi is a “classical” Egyptian dance that flows to
the Turkish inspired Egyptian art music and the more modern Egyptian classical
music played by large orchestras. It is also divided up into two more types of
dance known as “traditional” Sharqi and “modern” sharqi. Traditional sharqi was
performed for the wealthy aristocrat families and the modern sharqi is
performed around the world for all types of audiences.
Egyptian Theater:
Theater was a large part of ancient Egypt’s traditions. They
had religious depictions, traditional myths, and once colonized they had a
heavy Greco-Roman influence. These performances took place for any number of
reasons including religious events, festivals, or a special performance for the
wealthy. One of the favorite plays was the murder of Osiris by Seth. This play
would cast professional actors for the main characters and, many times, would
use the general public for the use of extras.
Rababa you says its a musician play with a bow instrument. So, I think it's pretty like a folk music. Also, you say it's like a violin. In a concert, there are always many violins in a big group of philharmonic. So, what I am interested in is that if there is a concert consist of these folk instruments? If there is one, it will be a very good symbol and a show to telling about Egypt culture and something else.
ReplyDeleteSharqi, as you say, is divided to two aspects. It's not hard to understand that wealthy like the traditional style of Sharqi. I still think that wealthy in the Middle East have a high pround of their race and culture, so they may like the one more related to their culture, the traditional one. However, is there any other difference between the two style of Sharqi. For example, does it have a difference in the way to dance? Is the modern one simpler to dance than the traditional one?
Theatres are always interesting, and they somehow seems luxurious. Nevertheless, if Egyptian theatres are more related to their religion and culture, I think it is a good one. Since many other theatres nowadays are just telling a good story and those theatres don't have a very deep mean. So, if Egyptian theatres not only telling a story, but also showing Egyptian religion, culture and something else; I think it will be different. It has more means in the show. It could be a symbol of the country.
I think that Egypt is kind of unique in that its culture has so much ancient history to draw from, in combination with Islamic influences as well as modern popular culture. The rababa resembles Chinese stringed instruments in my opinion. The fact that Egypt even has the potential today to still be incorporating what may be the oldest string instrument into their folk cultural music is pretty amazing. I think that it is great that the rababa is still played, as many more instruments have come along since its invention to choose from, though I can see why the violin would kind of replace some of its popularity. My family hosted an exchange student in high school from Egypt and she used to dance Sharqi (as well as ballet) and I never really asked her its origins. It makes sense that its Turkish inspired. I’m wondering how popular this dance is in public spheres given that it seems kind of counter to the conservativeness of Islamic culture? I can see the dance being controversial, but it is also possible that it is considered such a part of Egyptian culture that people do not care. It is interesting that Egypt had theater in ancient times and that modern theater depicts ancient times.
ReplyDeleteI also recognized the rababa from Uzbek folk music - I'm not sure what the actual origin is, but similar versions are used in the Middle East, Africa, China, India, and Central and Southeast Asia. A belly-dance website describes that:
ReplyDelete"In China the rebab is known as rawap and very popular among the uighur, the uzbek and the tajik. Throughout Central Asia the instrument is inlaid with mother in pearl geometric designs".
http://belly-dance.org/rebab.html