Assyrian/Syriac folk music Information & Assyrian/Syriac folk music Links at HealthHaven.com

The traditional music of the Assyrian/Syriac people is part of the larger field of Middle Eastern music.

The following types can still be seen in Northern Iraq and Syria.

Raweh: A mainly love songs with a story-tale structure, which may include about daily life, suffering and pain. Said to be the oldest traditional Assyrian form of songs, and the most difficult to sing, given its many ranges of octaves. ^[1]
Diwaneh: Sung in gatherings or meetings, lyrics cover aspect of life such as; persecution, Suffering or religion.
Liliana: A wedding song, usually sung by women only, especially for the bride before leaving her home to get married. Also sung by the bridegroom the day before his wedding by his family and relatives.

Dowlah and Zornah(Halay):Two traditional music instruments, literally meaning a drum and wind-pipe (or flute). Played together usually with no songs, in many ceremonies such as; weddings, funerals and welcoming (however for funerals played for unmarried men, accompanied by singing).

Assyrian music holds a special place in the hearts of all Assyrians whether it be at a festival, wedding or any other celebration. The patterns played in Assyrian music on these celebrations are usually found in a 6/8 metre such as the famous Khigga or the Sheikhani.

The main instruments are the Dhol or Davul (pronounced "Dawoola" or "Dola" in Assyrian) & Zurna (a type of Oboe), Tambura (similar to the Bouzouki), Baglama, Çiftelia , Dutar, Saz, Watariyat (which consists of Stringed Instruments) & Solo Leads (usually played on a Musical keyboard).

World War One drove Assyrians out from their mountainous region of Hakkaree (South East Turkey) back into Iraq, and World War II brought them in direct contact with the west, especially the British army in Iraq. This contact caused a strong influence on modern Assyrian music, especially the period after the independence of Iraq in 1932. Assyrian youth started picking up and playing new "Western" instruments after seeing and hearing the British playing in Army parades. Ewan Shamdinany was the first who released a modern Assyrian music LP with full western instrumental band in the 1950s, and could be considered the father of Modern Assyrian Music. Another figure who has put a strong influence in modern Assyrian music is Evin Aghassi.

Assyrian music today share similarities with majorly Armenian, Persian, Arabic, Turkish and Kurdish music.

[edit] Performers and composers

Complete list: List of Assyrian musicians.

[edit] References

^ http://portfolio.qeenatha.com/albums.php?artistid=86&albumid=652

[edit] External links

Assyrian folk Music

[edit] See also

[0] ttp://portfolio.qeenatha.com/albums.php?artistid=86&albumid=652

[1]

Contents

[edit] Performers and composers

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] See also