Yesterdays songs still popular today [Archives:2002/17/Culture]

BY: SALEH ABDULBAKI
FOR YEMEN TIMES
Yemen is bestowed with a unique culture and developing public awareness towards the preservation of its heritage has to be given priority. It represents the pillar of any society, as heritage plays a vital role in the nations history.
In Yemens case, music is part of that. And the Mawwal is a kind of folkloric song that would interest many people.
It is characterized by euphonious words mostly song by men where the singers sound remain for a while singing, and is a mixture of both colloquial and classical language.
Poetry of lovers is the name applied to such kind of art. It is a kind of folkloric literature where the poet is anonymous.
The Yemeni arts are among the oldest to appear in the South of Arabia. The earlier form of arts were public songs and dances performed and practiced on many occasions. Rhythms and musical tones first developed in Mawwal during weddings. Such activities reflect the joys and happiness of both performers and the audience.
The different and varied climate and places of Yemen have helped every place have its own distinguished Mawwal. Such folklore has greatly influenced the neighboring areas. The Yemen folklore has in turn been influenced by that of Andalusia and Persia.
Mawwal is generally a kind of song. Many people would love to listen to them at nights. And this is indeed closely related to the prelude of this style has the repeating of the word Yalayl (meaning Oh night, night).
In costal regions not only in Yemen, but also in most Arab countries, people would go offshore to enjoy the fresh air and listen to such songs. For the most part, this kind of singing is restricted to costal regions and is rarely found in other places.
Here, I agree with environmentalists that nature shapes the tastes of people as well as the essence of arts.
The Yemeni literary tradition is very plentiful and rich in different artistic figures who have contributed to the development of the Yemeni Mawwals.
The traditional Mawwals were deep-seated in our literature and by no means is a poetic art that has recently come to light.

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