IFAO

In the framework of "Beyond the Tree - A Journey into the Traditions of Egyptian Woodcraft" study day and exhibition, this edition of ASWAT features a lecture given by Kawkab Tawfik entitled "Daqqat al-zăr: From Wood to Sacred Beat. The spiritual life of zar Egyptian frame drums" followed by a concert by Abu al-Ghait Ensemble.

The musicians of the Abu al-Ghait Ensemble are sufi practitioners of the Ṭarīqa Aḥmadiya Ġiṭāniya, founded by the dervish Sheikh Hassan Abu al-Ghait who, in the XIX century, combined the zikr with the zār practices in the Delta of Egypt. The descendants of this sufi saint, are keeping the zār tradition alive, holding the legacy of their ancestor. Mohammed Abuzeid, the ensemble leader, is hosting weekly the last hadra al-zār in the areas of Cairo and Delta, struggling for the survival of his family’s tradition. Moreover, being a follower of the Abu al-Ghait’s school requires music skills and practice. While in their private life they carry out zikr and zār activity, many members of the ṭarīqa are actually recognized as well-known musicians and belong to governmental cultural institutions; they perform sha‘bī music in ensembles like Firqat al-Nīl and Firqat al-Ṭannūra; or are professional dancers of ṭannūra at national dance troupes of the Ministry of Culture.

ASWAT

Sounds - and music - are able to shape individual and collective identities, define spaces and borders, denote cultures, transmit knowledge and influence style lives.

ASWAT is a series of music meetings and music performances focusing on Egyptian culture(s) of music that seeks to explore a range of musical practices across Egypt, and beyond, through the contribution of academic speakers and music makers, followed by a concert. The meetings will offer the opportunity to deepen some historical, religious, social and musicological aspects that interwoven in, and from, the Egyptian music heritage, addressing creation, performance and reception practice.

Aswat is a joint initiative from CEDEJ, IFAO supported by IFE.

Les sons - et la musique - sont capables de façonner les identités individuelles et collectives, de définir les espaces et les frontières, de dénoter les cultures, de transmettre les connaissances et d'influencer les styles de vies.

ASWAT est une série de rencontres et de spectacles musicaux axés sur la ou les cultures musicales égyptiennes qui vise à explorer un éventail de pratiques musicales à travers l'Égypte, et au-delà, grâce à la contribution de conférenciers universitaires et de musiciens, suivie d'un concert. Les rencontres seront l'occasion d'approfondir certains aspects historiques, religieux, sociaux et musicologiques qui s'entremêlent dans et à partir du patrimoine musical égyptien, en abordant les pratiques de création, d'interprétation et de réception.

ASWAT est une initiative conjointe du CEDEJ et de l'Ifao soutenue par l'IFE.