Forms of Traditional Palestinian Songs
Unlike many other cultures, traditional Palestinian songs have no set lyrics but rather a set rhythm to them. The singers are usually family members or close friends that make up the lyrics on the spot. At modern Palestinian events there may be a professional singer but the forms mentioned below, still very popular today, were created before the popularization of professional singers. Therefore, the song lyrics differ from city to city. Many types of Palestinian songs, including Atab/Mejana and Dal'ona, have transcended time. Due to the relevance of the subject matter and the need to maintain tradition and culture, traditional types of Palestinian songs can still be heard at events of today, such as weddings or gatherings. They still remain extremely popular throughout the Palestinian culture. These forms of songs include:
1. Mejana or Ataba is the most popular type of song in Palestine. You can hear farmers, workers, and shepherds singing the Palestinian song while doing their jobs. However, weddings are the main environment for the songs. As with the other forms of songs, Mejana deals with poetry. Usually the singer starts with the long sound of, "Ooaaaff". Then the verses of ataba follow. Ataba is composed of four verses of poetry. The first three end with the same word in sound but different meanings. The fourth verse ends with a word that usually ends with a sound like, "Aab or Aywa!".
2. Dal'ona is the second most popular type of song in Palestine. It is easier to compose than ataba because it does not require the similar sound of the ends of the first three verses. However, like ataba, dal'na had four verses of poetry where the first three have similar endings and the fourth usually ends with a sound like, "Oana". Dal'ona is the sound of the Palestinian popular dance, dabka, where the dancers sing it along with the sound of the shubbabah (flute), yarghool or mijwiz.
3. The Sahja is another popular form of Palestinian song usually sung at weddings. It may be done by men or women and involves clapping to the rhythm of song that is being sung to the bride for women, or groom for men. The men gather in two lines and facing each other or surround the groom. Then the zajal leads the sahja. The zajal is a talented singer or close family member who sings the sahja on the spot. The zajal leads the sahja with a verse, and the entire group repeats. The sahja done by women consists of the same idea but with many women leading (usually older women) while the young women repeat. Also, the women may add a loud, "Lolololeey" during and at the end of the sahja. Also, there is no female zajal.
4. Zaghareet (pl) is one of the oldest forms of Palestinian songs. It is another important form of song during Palestinian weddings. The zaghreet is traditionally sung by women at weddings or important events. One woman starts the zaghroot with a loud, "Heeey Hee..." or "Aweeha...". She then continues with a small poem or few short rhyming words. After the women are done they all join with a loud, "Lolololoolololoeeeey" sound. Unlike the women's sahja, the zaghroot involves no clapping an only one women must take turns to offer a zaghareet.
Read more about this topic: Music Of Palestine
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