Shams al-'Ashiya
 | This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (September 2021) |
| Shams al-'Ashiya | |
|---|---|
| Original title | شمس العشية |
| Language | Andalusi dialectical Arabic |
| Genre(s) | Andalusi zajal |
| Form | Andalusi nawba |
"Shams al-'Ashiya" (Arabic: شمس العشية, lit. 'The Evening Sun') is a piece of Andalusi nawbah, a form of strophic poetry.[1][2] It's one of the most popular songs sung on holidays and celebrations in Morocco—especially Eid al-Fitr.[1][2]
Composition
The musician and researcher specializing in Moroccan musical heritage, Abdeslam Khaloufi, classifies it as a sana'a (صنعة) of Mizān Qudām al-Māya (ميزان قدام الماية), or Nawbat al-Māya (نوبة الماية).[1] It is a piece of zajal poetry, meaning that it is in Andalusi dialectical Arabic rather than Standard Arabic.[1][3] It spread throughout Morocco, though its author/composer is unknown.[1]
Renditions
This piece is a standard of Andalusi music and has been performed by many major Moroccan ensembles, including: the National Broadcast Ensemble led by Moulay Ahmed Loukili, the al-Barihi Ensemble led by Abdelkrim Rais, and the Ensemble of the Institute of Music in Tetuan led by Mohamed Larbi Temsamani.[1] The rendition by Mohamed Bajeddoub is also very popular.[1]
Recently, it has also been reinterpreted by Nabyla Maan.[1][4][5]
Content
The subject of the poem is the setting sun, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the departure or loss of a friend or loved one.[1]
The piece also attests to historic trade relations between the region and the Venetian Republic, as the song mentions "al-Awani l-Bunduqiya" (الأواني البندقية, "the Venetian glassware") imported from Venice.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Khaloufi, Abdeslam (2020-05-25). "كيف صارت "شمس العشية" أغنية العيد في المغرب؟". BBC News Arabic (Interview) (in Arabic). Interviewed by Basma Kracha. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ a b "شمس العشية.. معايدة المغاربة". arriyadiyah.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ "The Zajal: Al-Andalus' poetry and singing".
- ^ "نبيلة معن تؤدي "شمس العشية" بتوزيع موسيقي جديد...الفيديو". 2M (in Arabic). Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ "فيديو. نبيلة معان تحيي رائعة "شمس العشية"". ar.le360.ma. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ IslamKotob. مجلة مجمع اللغة العربية - 1 (in Arabic). IslamKotob.