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Friday 15 September 2023

Dabke Dancing

You lot are a hip and happening crowd so you will no doubt be familiar with the frenzied, flailing sound of the famed Syrian singer Omar Souleyman. It turns out that when it comes to crazed Syrian wedding music Omar is just the tip of the iceberg (or whatever the Syrian equivalent of that metaphor is - the tip of the sand dune perhaps?). 

Back in 2012 the Sham Palace label released a compilation starring singers from southern Syria titled "Dabke: Sounds of the Syrian Houran" - Houran being the region and Dabke a sort of Levantine line dance for which this music provides the accompaniment.  

I am not remotely capable of describing the sound they make, so let's just crack on with it. Get ready to leap around with abandon.

"Ma Dal Anouh" - Ahmad Al Kosem

"Mili Alay" - Mohamed Al Ali

If you are planning a wedding reception but are looking for something that is a bit more understated on the dancing front, you could do worse than turn to Bollywood for ideas.

3 comments:

  1. two great tracks. I've found a video of Omar Souleyman performing at his son's wedding:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4R6iFSYDZ0
    I've never seen so many grim unsmiling faces at a wedding ceremony. Not even at ours.

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    Replies
    1. I wonder what the fellow in the terrible green jacket is whispering in his ear?

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    2. he has a very threatening demeanour

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