Nobiin and Kenzi-Dongola chants wreathe around these rhythms, daring to preserve a tongue as old as time. Ali Hassan Kuban, the Nubian pied piper, mesmerized the global stage with his jazzy tunes, while Mohamed Mounir, dubbed the “new voice of Egypt,” weaved ancient melodies into modern beats. Together with Mahmoud Fadl, the Nubian Master Drummer, these artists redefine the very essence of Nubian music.
The Music Maze of the Nubians
Ah, Nubian music, where the oud, tar, and arghul conspire in rhythmic mischief. This genre revels in its ancient, geographical confusion, straddling the southern Egyptian sands and northern Sudanese whisperings. African beats waltz with Middle Eastern melodies, revealing tales of love and mundane existence.
Nobiin and Kenzi-Dongola chants wreathe around these rhythms, daring to preserve a tongue as old as time. Who needs a language everyone understands, especially when it’s about maintaining the aura of an ancient civilization?
Chronicles of Change
Once upon a time, Nubian music served as a humble vessel for storytelling. As time passed, it casually flirted with neighboring civilizations. The 20th century marked a rebellious era, with Nubians shuffling their musical deck post-Aswan High Dam debacle. Exiled Nubians found solace in Western elements, cloaking their traditional tunes with jazz and funk.
Musical evolution, it seems, does not abide by geographical boundaries. Egyptian Nubian music indulges in Arabic features, while its Sudanese counterpart flaunts its African rhythmic roots. In this house of musical cards, culture continues its shuffle.
Nubian Mavericks
Enter Ali Hassan Kuban, the Nubian pied piper, who wooed jazz and funk with a wink. Crowned the “Grandfather of Nubian Music,” he amused the global stage with his jazzy concoctions. Then there is Hamza El Din, the oud’s serenader, luring global audiences into a Nubian trance. Mickey Hart calls his tunes mesmerizing, yet it is left for the listener to decipher one’s feelings amidst layered melodies.
Mohamed Mounir graduated from the Department of Cinematography as the “new voice of Egypt,” a mantle humorously placed by poet Abdul Rahim Mansour. Meanwhile, Ahmed Mounib, Mounir’s mentor, remains the virtuoso of Nobiin and Egyptian Arabic lyrics, a veritable torchbearer of the Nubian sound. Mahmoud Fadl, the Nubian Master Drummer, stirred earthy rhythms in Cairo, subtly upholding Battikol traditions.
The Road of Uncertainty
If Mahmoud Karqa’s garden of North African melodies intrigues some with earthy rhythms, others prefer Mohamed Wardi’s rich metaforical tapestry, where nation becomes muse. Whether on Nubian musical altars or international pop stages, Nubian musicians challenge listeners to listen, ponder, and question. What is understood amidst these sonic journeys is left to personal discretion. Nubian music, a confounding soundscape, defies conventional classification, remaining ever elusive to those who dare to analyze its intricacies.
Tracklist :
Ta3Ala Noldom Asamina
Raquy & Ramy Playing Real Nubian Music
“Raquy & Ramy – Playing Real Nubian Music” is a live duo set by Raquy and Ramy in Cairo’s Thomas Club, showcasing authentic Nubian melodic and rhythmic traditions handed down through generations in a youth-led group in Egypt.
Mohamed Mounir About Ahmed Mounib 2007
“Mohamed Mounir – About Ahmed Mounib (2007)” features the beloved Egyptian singer Mohamed Mounir reflecting on his mentor Ahmed Mounib. Mounir’s Nubian heritage and fusion of blues, jazz, and Nile folk shine through this candid 2007 homage.
Mohamed Wardi
“Mohamed Wardi” (1932–2012) was a legendary Nubian–Sudanese singer, poet and musician known as the “golden throat.” He performed in both Arabic and Nubian, used instruments like the kissar, and became an inspirational figure in Sudanese music and culture.
Hamza El Din – Ud
“Hamza el Din – Ud” refers to the Egyptian–Nubian composer and oud master Hamza El Din (1929–2006). He popularized Nubian music globally with his album *Escalay: The Water Wheel* and collaborated with Western artists including the Grateful Dead and Kronos Quartet.
Nubian Music From Sudan
“Nubian Music From Sudan” is a broad category captured in recordings dating back two decades. These feature traditional Nubian songs from northern Sudan, often shared via live sets and YouTube playlists preserving regional folk heritage.
Nubian Music From North Sudan موسيقه نوبيه من شمال السودان
“Nubian music from north sudan موسيقه نوبيه من شمال السودان” — same as above: instrumental and vocal tracks showcasing the living traditions of northern Sudanese Nubia.