Fann at-Tanbura

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fann aṭ-Ṭanbūra (Arabic: فن الطنبوره) is a traditional music and dance genre in the Arab Gulf states, especially Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. Musically, the tanbura instrument plays a central role, along with several drums and the manjur -- an instrument made of several goat hooves wrapped around the waist of the performer.

Men and women both participate in the singing and dance. Fann At-Tanbura is closely associated with the Zār spiritual ritual, and it was originally used in healing practices. Participants would occasionally fall into a trance. In modern times though it is more often a musical performance.

The practice has East African origins as the lyrics of the songs are usually from Swahili.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links