Carnegie Hall

Aim: How is dance used in Jordanian folk music?
Summary: Students will learn to sing “Reedaha” / “Ya Khayal il Zarga,” discover ghazals, and dance the dabka.
Materials: Musical Explorers digital resources, Musical Explorers Student Guide
Standards: National 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 11; NYC 1, 2, 3, 4
Vocabulary: Bedouin, dabka, ghazal

“Reedaha” is a very old song that has been passed down orally through generations. Farah’s version folds in another folk song called “Ya Khayal il Zarga,” about a horse rider who travels regularly between the cities of Amman and Zarga. Both songs are ghazals, a kind of love poem which are subset of the gaseed. Depending on the song, the ghazal might express flirtation, longing, or the loss of love. In her medley, Farah combines the chorus from “Reedaha” and the verse from “Ya Khayal il Zarga”; your students will be singing the “Reedaha” chorus. She includes her own contemporary influences in this song by including elements of flamenco and even funk.

Jordan’s population of Bedouins, or nomadic people of the desert, contributes greatly to the culture of the country. Traditionally, Bedouins are a nomadic people who live off the land, traveling the desert, herding animals, and primarily living in tents.

Today, while many have transitioned to a more stationary lifestyle due to economic and technological advancements, a small fraction of the population can still be found living in the more traditional Bedouin way. One of the main principles of Bedouin culture is the importance of hospitality, as they are known to regularly take in and feed fellow travelers.

Use Discover Bedouin Culture (PDF) to introduce your students to Bedouin culture.