Al-Taghrooda: Traditional Bedouin Chanted Poetry
Al-Taghrooda traditional Bedouin chanted poetry is composed and recited by men travelling on camel back through desert areas of the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman. Bedouin believe that chanting entertains the riders and stimulates animals to walk in time. Short poems of seven lines or less are improvised and repeated between two groups of riders often as antiphonal singing. Generally the lead singer chants the first verse and the second group responds. Poems are also chanted around camp fires, at weddings, and at tribal and national festivities, particularly camel races, and some Bedouin women compose and chant while engaged in collective work. The most important aspect is the social bonding during the oral exchange of verses. Themes include sending messages to loved ones, relatives, friends or tribal chiefs. It is also a medium for the poet to pass comment on social issues.
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Series: Inscriptions on the Intangible Heritage Lists
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Director: Rajah Balakrishnan
Publisher: Abou Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority
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Rights: Abou Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority
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