Algerian Berber Music

The Kabyles, an Algerian Berber people representing one of the oldest Northwestern African civilizations, hold poetry and music in high esteem. The music presented here is used in celebration of a marriage feast and the religious holiday Aid-Amezziane. The songs mourn poverty, misfortune and unrequited love, while always maintaining a sense of pride. Instrumentation includes the ajouag (shepherd’s flute), cornemuse (similar to the bagpipes), ghaita (a double reed instrument similar to the oboe), t’bel (tambourine) and bendir (frame drum) as well as more recent additions to the instrumental assortment: the violin, guitar and banjo.

Track Listing

101	The Bride	A chorus of Kabyl women with a female soloist	03:20
102	The Sad Exiles	Kabyl musicians	09:52
103	Brokenhearted	A young Kabyl woman singing	09:17
201	Alone	A young Kabyl woman singing	08:36
202	Death of a Hero	Kabyl musicians	11:46