The rich and varied music of Sudan is made up of traditional, rural East African roots, as well as of Arabic, Western or other African influences on the popular urban music from the early 20th century onward.
Since the establishment of cities like Khartoum as melting pots for people of diverse backgrounds, their cultural heritage and tastes have shaped numerous forms of modern popular music. In the globalised world of today, the creation and consumption of music through satellite TV or on the internet is a driving force for change in Sudan, popular with local audiences as well as with Sudanese in diaspora.
Modern Sudanese music has its roots in haqibah style music (pronounced hagee-ba and meaning “briefcase”). It originated in the early 1920s, and was originally derived from the Islamic praise of the prophet, known as madeeh.
Sudan has a rich and unique musical culture that has been through chronic instability and repression during the modern history of Sudan.
Northern Sudanese popular music evolved into what is generally referred to as “post-Haqibah”, a style dominating in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. This period was marked by the introduction of tonal instruments from both East and West, such as the violin, accordion, oud, tabla and bongo.
A big band style came into existence, mirroring trends in the West. Post-haqibah, like haqibah, was based on the pentatonic scale. Haqibah mixed with Egyptian and European elements is called al-afghani’ al-hadith.
Today Sudanese music thrives in Europe and the United States as many have settled in these countries.
Mohammed Ombali appeared courtesy of the Bristol Sudanese Community Association.
Rights belong to respective composers.