Fijiri

Fidjeri (Arabic: الفجيري; sometimes spelled fijri or fidjeri) is the specific repertoire of vocal music sung by the pearl divers of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf (especially Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar). A lead singer is backed up by a chorus of accompanying singers and clapping. The accompanying instruments to a fidjeri ensemble are a small double-sided hand-drum, known as the mirwās () and the jāhlah (), a clay pot played with both hands.

There are eight genres of fijiri: Sanginni (sung on the beach, not on the boat), Bahri, Adsani, Mkholfi, Haddadi, Hasawi, Zumayya, and Dan, the last two actually being sub-genres of Hasawi and Mkholfi respectively. Bahri and Adsani are the two main genres. Pearl diver singers are referred to in Arabic as nahham ().

Salem Allan and Ahmad Butabbaniya are two of the most well-known fijiri singers from Bahrain.

See also

Music of Bahrain

Music of Kuwait

Ardha

Sawt (music)

Yowla

M'alayah

Liwa (music)

Culture of the Persian Gulf Arab states

Further reading

External links

Video clips of Fijiri performances

Audio samples of Salem Allan and Ahmad Butabbanya on Zeryab.com

Category:Bahraini music Category:Arab music Category:Kuwaiti music Category:Arabic culture Category:Pearls Category:United Arab Emirati music