Music and Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula

<p><em>Music and Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula</em> provides a pioneering overview of folk and traditional urban music, along with dance and rituals, of Saudi Arabia and the Upper Gulf States of Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. The nineteen chapters introduce variegated regions and subcultures and their rich and dynamic musical arts, many of which heretofore have been unknown beyond local communities. The book contains insightful descriptions of genres, instruments, poetry, and performance practices of the desert heartland (Najd), the Arabian/Persian Gulf shores, the great western cities including Makkah and Medinah, the southwestern mountains, and the hot Red Sea coast. Musical customs of distinctive groups such as Bedouin, seafarers, and regional women are explored. The book is packaged with downloadable resources and almost 200 images including a full color photo essay, numerous music transcriptions, a glossary with over 400 specialized terms, and original Arabic script alongside key words to assist with further research. This book provides a much-needed introduction and organizational structure for the diverse and complex musical arts of the region.</p> <p>1. Introduction <b>PART I </b><em>The Najd and Upper Gulf Region </em>2. Bedouin Arts 3. Bedouin Women’s Music and Dance 4: <em>Taggāgāt</em>: Female Drumming Bands 5: <em>Hadar</em> Arts from the Najd: Songs with Drums 6: H<em>adar</em> (<i>Khammāri)</i> Arts in the Upper Gulf 7: Gulf Wedding Practices and Songs 8: Incoming Arts: African and Persian 9: Sea Music Traditions, and <em>Saūt </em><b>PART 2 </b><em>The Hijaz and Southwest Region</em> 10. Hijazi Folk Traditions 11: Tā'if and Music 12: Art Music of the Hijazi Cities 13: Hijazi Women and Music Making 14: Distinguished Hijazi Artists 15: Introduction: Southwestern Arabia 16: Asīr Genres and Traditions 17: Bīsha and Bāha Arts 18: Jīzān Music and Dance 19: Musical Aspect of Najrān Appendix: Comments on Contemporary Arts and <i>'Adani </i>Glossary Bibliography Index</p>