“Traces of Kabyle singing”
Dr. Muhammad Irzqi Farad, in this book entitled “The effects of Kabyle song”, published in 2015 by Al-Amel, analyzes the artistic and poetic heritage of the tribes from its beginnings to the present day.
The author affirms that “the song of the Kabyles is the mirror which reflects the social life of the tribes, both good and bad” (p. 07). Anyone who wants to analyze Kabyle society must go through this artistic and poetic heritage, and only those who have access to the treasures of this culture can understand the familiarity of the language and its connotations.
The reading that foreigners, notably the French, give us of the culture of the Kabyles and of society through its poetic heritage is often biased and contradicts reality (p. 06), because it calls for the (return) of our cultural heritage to extract it from the hands of those who use it against us, against our identity and against our highest interests.
The work is organized into five (05) main themes, which I was able to identify:
01/. The first axis: dedicated to the history of tribal singing and its different types. This song has always been an integral part of Cain's life. Indeed, singing accompanied men in their professions (agriculture, breeding, festivals and misfortunes) and women in their tasks (teaching children, household chores, pottery, weaving, etc.). The author even claims that cable singing may have originated in the world of women because many types of cable singing are only performed by women (p. 09).
As for the different types of Kabyle songs, Dr. Muhammad Arezqi Farad considers that the classification proposed by Professor Muhannad Akli Salehi (Muhannad Aklis) in “Traditional women's poetry” is the closest to reality. This classification is as follows (pp. 14-25):
a). The song is aimed at children who understand:
a. 1. Azouzen: Lullabies, sung by women to put children to sleep.
a. 2. Asaraqas: A song that women recite when children wake up has a spiritual and psychological significance that encourages the child to be active and alive.
b) Adult song: It includes six (06) types of songs:
B. 1. Aswiq: A sad song practiced by women and sometimes men while carrying out their daily tasks.
B. 2. Ali Aaa: It is a moving song that expresses the deepest and most sincere romantic feelings, practiced by both men and women.
B. 3. Amizbar: Type of poetic, often comic game, played between rival characters such as the mother-in-law and her brother, often played by men.
B. 4. Asabu Asar: Also called Tipu. Arin, an exclusively feminine song, is performed in groups at weddings, often in the morning before dawn.
B. 5. Asiki Ant: song performed by women during holidays during which they congratulate their family members and friends.
B. 6. Adekke les: religious song practiced during funerals or various religious festivals, often practiced by men and rarely by women.
02. The second axis (pp. 26-130): Dedicated to the study of the works of ten (10) of the most famous and eminent Kabyle singers, such as Suleiman Azem, Hanifa, Zerrougui Alla, Sharifa, Ait Manguelet , Sharif Khaddam. , Takfarinas...etc.
03. The third axis (pp. 131-139): Dedicated to religious singing through the icon Mukran Agawa, whose real name is Wali Muhannad Amokran.
04. The fourth axis (pp. 140-158): is devoted to the philosophical dimension of Kabyle singing through the works of Ahsen Abbasi, Ait Manjilet and Farid Firaqi.
05. The fifth axis (pp. 159-172): Dedicated to the analysis of national and patriotic song through the works of the artist and fighter Farid Ali, Suleiman Azem and many others in the name of Akli Yahyatn, Zarrouqi Allawa, Jamila, Talib Rabah, Nawara....etc.
This book is not a simple study of a particular cultural type, but it is a window which gives access to a world which can only be penetrated and understood through its cultural production, formerly limited to song and poetry.
The reading offered here is objective, with an exemplary understanding of the language, traditions and psychology that animate Cabell society and culture. This reading was carried out by one of its members, producer and specialist.
Source: websites