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Bahrain: Fidjeri: Songs of the Pearl Divers

Various Artists
Bahrain: Fidjeri: Songs of the Pearl Divers
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The island nation of Bahrain, literally meaning “two seas,” sits along the western edge of the Persian Gulf. Prior to the discovery of oil there in 1932, ninety percent of the country’s population worked in jobs relating to the sea: as shipbuilders, sailors, fishermen, and pearl divers. The pearl divers are known for practicing what is considered the Bahrain’s most original and characteristic musical genre, fidjeri, or “sea music.” These songs, consisting of an all-male chorus and solo singer with minimal percussion, often accompanied specific and common actions, like rowing, setting sails, and pulling up the anchor. The liner notes, written by Habib Hassan Touma (d. 1998), a Palestinian composer, ethnomusicologist, and Arabian music expert, include the mythological origin story of fidjeri and further musical context.

Track Listing

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101
Bahri The men's choir from the Dar Jnah in Muharraq 5:08
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102
Khrab, Sidi, Meydaf, Jeeb The men's choir from the Dar Jnah in Muharraq 9:04
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103
Adsani The men's choir from the Dar Jnah in Muharraq 10:35
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104
Duwari, Ashari, Khatfat-Shra The men's choir from the Dar Jnah in Muharraq 11:10
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105
Makhmus The men's choir from the Dar Jnah in Muharraq 4:44
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106
Hesawi The men's choir from the Dar Jnah in Muharraq 11:59

Album Info

Catalog Number

UNES08046

Year(s) Released

1978

Label/Collection

UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music

Genre(s)

World

Country(s)

Bahrain

Credit(s)

Habib Hassan Touma - Liner Notes, Recorder
Download Liner Notes