Libyan fighters play guitar to raise troop morale
As Libya's new regime forces keep up pressure on the last two pockets of resistance in Sirte, fighters with guitars sing to the glory of a free Libya to "raise the morale" of their fellow comrades.
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Raymond Sammut
Oct 17th 2011, 12:48
@ Alfred Falzon
To be honest, I have only read the Wiki page dedicated to this instrument --after seeing the TOM video.
There seems to be no reference on the Oud Qadim, but it's hard to think that ancient Libyans would not have had earlier versions to the one they play today. Please keep in mind, for example, that Libyans fought side by side with Hannibal in italy, and they would surely have taken a few ouds with them across the Alps. I wouldn't think those ouds would have been the same as they are today.
Here is a YT clip which I found to be particularly beautiful. I cannot see how Ali Hassan holds the plectrum. Oud players must hold it somehow concealed between finger tips, and it must be very small in size.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJYe4g_kUj4
Hopefully the new Libya will invest substantially in their musicians.
Raymond Sammut
Oct 17th 2011, 01:20
The Libyans also used to have, originally, the Oud Qadim. Professional Libyan players would use a "risha" as a plectrum.
We have both "qadim" and "rixa" in our language, yet most Maltese know virtually nothing about the oud. It should make most Maltese think of our own beginnings, and how much of our heritage was lost --pretty much for ever. Incidentally, Mr Faez Taeeb also seems to have a Maltese name, namely, "tajjeb" (Goodman).
It should only take a little observation and study.
Alfred Falzon
Oct 17th 2011, 10:13
@ Raymond Sammut
Thanks so much for your erudite information. We appreciate cultural heritage wherever this may be and from whichever source it may have originated!
Arab and Islamic culture and civilization stand second to none, and one has yet to see the wonder that was the former al-Andalus, now Andalusia, a region of Spain, to confirm the wealth in human creativity that many a visitor is wont to describe with awe!
In this respect, Libya has also much to offer with some of the world's best preserved monuments and ancient ruins of Sabratha and Leptis Magna together with its colourful bedouin desert and mountain tribal traditions, folklore and traditional crafts and musical instruments that make this North African Arab country a potential tourist attraction for all those interested in pan-Mediterranean culture and civilization.
This is another face of Libya that will unfold, hopefully in the not-too-distant future, once political and economic stability is firmly established through the good offices of the NTC, the new Libya's Interim Government which believes in the wise Chinese adage: "Let a thousand flowers bloom"!
Juanita Cassar
Oct 16th 2011, 18:34
After hearing their playing, I kinda wish he had a machine gun rather than an oud.
Mr M. Vella
Oct 17th 2011, 00:32
now that's just mean
Joseph Micallef
Oct 16th 2011, 15:58
What you see in this picture is not a guitar at all - it is called an Aud - the predecessor of the Lute and then the guitar - still played in arabic music. I have seen other photos where they were really playing guitars -but not in this picture!