Music of Djibouti

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Djibouti is an African country on the Horn of Africa. It is an important port city, and has historically been part of several states, most recently including France. Djibouti was France's last African colony to gain independence. The national anthem of Djibouti is "Djibouti", adopted in 1977 with words by Aden Elmi and music by Abdi Robleh.[1]

Djibouti is made up of two main ethnic groups: the Afar and the Somalis, along with French and Arab citizens. Afar music is similar to the music of Ethiopia with elements of Arab music. The Somali oral traditions include an array of poetry and proverbs, much of it devoted to the lives of Sufi saints. Afar oral literature is more musical, and comes in many varieties, including songs for weddings, war, praise and boasting.[2]

"Miniature poetry", invented by a truck driver named Abdi Deeqsi, is well known in Djibouti; these are short poems (balwo), mostly concerning love and passion.[2] Balwo is also a style of Somali popular music.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Djibouti. National Anthem Reference Page. Retrieved on September 28, 2005.
  2. ^ a b Djibouti - Culture Overview. Expedition Earth. Retrieved on September 28, 2005. - Website no longer exists; link is to Internet Archive