The ma’lūf of Libya. A treasure to preserve is the seventh episode of Mediterranean Intangible Heritage Soundscape, a podcast by Paolo Scarnecchia, produced by UNIMED.
When we think about what has been called “classical music” of Maghreb, oral by tradition and linked to a past medieval artistic splendour, we immediately think of Morocco and Algeria, then of Tunisia, but much less of Libya.
In Libya sufi brotherhoods played an important role in preservation and transmission of the nawabat (suites) common heritage for all the North Africa of Andalusian-Maghrebi art music, and the so called ma’lūf az-zāwiya, is the core of this tradition which is rooted in the Muslim Spain. However when it is performed by professional or semi professional musicians, it is generally indicated as ma’lūf alidhā‛.
The Arab Andalusian musical tradition of Libya is close to the Tunisian one and shares the same name of ma’lūf.
Guiding us in this tradition is Philip Ciantar, Associate Professor at the Department of Music Studies of the University of Malta.
During his field research in Tripoli, Philip Ciantar met with Hassan Araibi, the musician who was one of the most important connoisseurs of the repertoire of sung poetry organised in different modal suites. From this experience the maltese scholar started to investigate further this living tradition, meeting also with the members of the Araibi Ensemble that was part of the Libyan Radio.
Prof. Ciantar listened and learned from their point of view the features, the key concepts and the poetic of this enchanting musical tradition.
Listen to The ma’lūf of Libya. A treasure to preserve.
About Philip Ciantar
Philip Ciantar is an Associate Professor at the Department of Music Studies within the School of Performing Arts, University of Malta. He teaches ethnomusicology and related subjects. His research interests lie in the areas of Mediterranean music studies; Andalusian music in North Africa; Maltese popular music; music and colonialism; the transmission of musical knowledge; and world music analysis. His publications include articles in a variety of journals and edited volumes, as well as entries in leading music encyclopedias. Among his publications are two single-authored monographs: The Ma’lūf in Contemporary Libya: An Arab Andalusian Musical Tradition (Ashgate 2012; Routledge 2016) and Studies in Maltese Popular Music (Routledge 2021).
Episode’s musical sources list
Disclaimer Mediterranean Intangible Heritage Soundscape is a podcast by Paolo Scarnecchia, produced by UNIMED, Mediterranean Universities Union. Musical works included in the Podcast are used for purpose of illustration for teaching, and not for commercial purposes.
Libyan Nawba: Jamru al Hawā
Hassan Araibi’s Orchestra
Libyan Nawba: Jamru al Hawā
Hassan Araibi’s Orchestra
Muwashshah: Salfiy ad-Dhalām
Hassan Araibi’s Orchestra
Libyan Nawba: Jamru al Hawā
Hassan Araibi’s Orchestra
Ma’lūf Az-Zawya during a Mawlid Parade
Libyan Nawba: Nāh al Hamām
Hassan Araibi’s Orchestra
Libyan Nawba: Nāh al Hamām with a Ottoman-like military melody
Libyan Nawba: Shawqa Danīy
Hassan Araibi’s Orchestra
A song from Libyan Nawba Nāh al Hamām compared to a Nawba Song from the Tunisian Ma’lūf Repertoire
Nawba Nāh al Hamām in az-Zawya style
Libyan Nawba: Shawqa Danīy
Hassan Araibi’s Orchestra
