Mazaher - the Zar Music Ensenble
Mazaher - the Zar Music Ensemble is performing music which was used in zar. тАЬIt is an ancient tradition in which women play a leading role and which is practiced in several countries in the region. The Zar is a pacification and purification ritual in which a small group of people gather with the aim to communicate in an energetic interaction with unseen entities and to harmonize their inner lives and pacify the spirits. Zar music enfolds through rich poly-rhythmic drumming songs and body movements in a process of group interaction.тАЬ (text from MazaherтАЩs LP).┬а
Zar is an incredibly fascinating topic and Mazaher is a great illustration of the musical aspect of this very complicated and underground movement. Even if it is still practiced (is it?), letтАЩs be honest, as a khalaga and non muslim, you wonтАЩt be able to get any closer to it. Sad but true.
This is their new video, which I am super excited about and which was an inspiration for this post: Mazaher - Rekousha
I have been to their concerts twice and I really hope to be able to see them again. I have never seen anything like this before and I remember it as a very strong experience: my head aching from far too much incense, taste of karkadeh in my mouth, eyes glued to the lead singer, Om Sameh.┬а
The concerts take place in Makan - Egyptian Center for Culture and Arts in Cairo which collects artists performing traditional music from all over Egypt. Follow them on facebook, it is really a good place to know and various concerts take place almost every day.┬а
Next time we will talk about zar in more detail and we will focus on jewelry used during zar meetings. Stay tuned!
