Skip to main content

Rabab: Egyptian Singing and Epic Songs

Nadi Osman, Hamdi Metkal Kenawi
Rabab: Egyptian Singing and Epic Songs The 1982 album Rabab: Egyptian Singing and Epic Songs highlights the rababa, a two-stringed spike fiddle made from a coconut shell that is used to accompany the lead singers (rais) of vocal ensembles and epic poets (shaer). Nadi Osman, one of the performers featured on the album, assumes both roles here.


The other featured artist, Hamdi Metkal Kanawi, learned to play the rababa from his father, a master musician. He accompanies his mother in a maoual, or narrative melody, and shares an instrumental work intended to accompany a dance that represents a sword duel. Liner notes include song lyrics in both Arabic and English.

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Ya Hamam (O Pigeon) n/a 05:57
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Ya Habibi, Ya Asal, ya Abu Karka massal (O Honey, Hasting Love, Your Smile Has No Equal) n/a 06:07
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Ya Abu Lassa wa Taquiya (O, You with the Turban and the Taquiya) n/a 05:32
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Maoual n/a 07:06
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
201
Abu Zeid El Hilali (My First Word is to Thank God) n/a 17:40
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
202
Instrumental Piece n/a 04:41