KRAKEBS Krakebs or quraqib / qaraqib / qarqabeb / qraqebs (arab. قراقب) Is type of castanet made of metal. It is used in moroccan music called Gnawa (for ritual and spiritual healing ceremonies). This instrument is known in Morocco and Algeria and all Maghreb countries. Methods of producing the krakebs have not changed for centuries […]
FELLAHI Fellahi is a joyful and vivacious dance of farmers from the northern Egypt, depicting their daily lives like harvesting or carrying water. The prop used in the style is a pitcher. Costume for fellahi dance consists of long, loose dresses with flowers and flounces, and a headscarf. A dancer may also have a scarf […]
FINGER CYMBALS Finger cymbals / zills / sagat is a percussion instrument popular in the Middle East and North Africa, known also in ancient times. It consists of four circular, metal plates which you can fix on your thumbs and middle fingers in order to tap out a rhythm while dancing. Finger cymbals may make […]
RIQ Riq, rik (arab. رق) is a type of tambourine used in both folk and classical Arabic music. The frame of the riq is made of wood, like apricot or lemon, it can be decorated and it usually is 20 cm wide. We can also find riqs with a metal frame. Riq has ten pairs of […]
ESKANDARANI Eskandarani or Iskandarani is an urban folklore from Alexandria, the port city in Egypt. Eskandarani outfit is quite unusual – it consists of a short dress to knees, with flounces, a headscarf with tassels or flowers and high heels. Eskandarani can be danced with a large black shawl called melaya – then the dance […]
KAMANCHEH Kamancheh (Per. کمانچه) is an Iranian bowed string instrument. Traditional instruments had three silk strings, but now we can see also kamanchehs with four metal strings. The body of kamancheh has a long upper neck and a resonating chamber covered with a membrane made from the skin of a lamb, goat or even fish. We […]