The Musicians Of The Nile - Timeless and Modern

Since its inception more than 25 years ago in the Egyptian city of Luxor, the musical group The Musicians of the Nile, have been creating music and performing all over the world and sharing the vocal traditions of Egyptian gypsy clans and families.

The Musicians of the Nile shot to fame after ethno-musicologist Alain Weber was introduced to them. Weber in 1975 signed on as manager for the group and helped it complete a European tour. The group has played in such cities as Paris, New York, Berlin, Stockholm, London and Montreal. The musicians also have performed at the at 1991's Gypsy Festival of Florence and 1995's Gypsy Festival of Lucerne, as well as at the original WOMAD in 1983, a performance that helped bring about a collaboration on Peter Gabriel’s “Passion” album.

The Musicians of the Nile depict the nomadic existence through their music, which they create using traditional instruments. For example, on their last album, “Charcoal Gypsies,” the musicians use the traditional Egyptian oboe known as the mizmar; the arghul, or the Egyptian double clarinet; the tablah; and the tabl baladi, the double-membraned drum.

The members of Musicians of the Nile have included descendants of the famous Mataqil clan of musicians who originally are from Sudan and who for more than 40 years have been joining forces with gypsy families that specialise in singing.

The Musicians of the Nile include Metqal Qenawi Metqal, Shamandi Tewfiq Metqal and Yussef Bakash. Metqal, the lead singer of the band spent his formative years in the gypsy neighbourhood of Abu Djud in the village of Kanak. He showed exceptional musical talent at a young age and his music soon became very popular in the Arab world. He leads the group on the Rababah, an instrument made with strings of horsehair and a sound-box made of coconut shells and fish skin which creates waves of eerily, mystical violin-like sounds. Shamandi Tewfiq Metqal derives his technique from traditional singing with its epic, poetic forms that are morally inspired. His songs such as “Ya Farawle” and “El Balass” were hits with children and used for traditional baladi dance numbers. Metqal also is featured on the Nubian CD compilation, Salamat, which was released in November 1995.

- Written By Fanen Chiahemen

- Edited By Pianki

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Discography:

Album: From Luxor to Isna
Label: Virgin Records
Year: 1989

Album: Charcoal Gypsies
Label: Real World
Year: 1997

Album: Ensemble Mizmar Baladi
Label: Ocora
Year: 2001

Album: Down By The River
Label: Long Distance
Year: 2006