What is the purpose of songs in general? Why do people have to sing their emotions? Is it weird that the folklore songs in a community transfers the emotions of the people when the main purpose is to celebrate!!
Well, this depends on the traditions and customs of the community. For example, In Dhofar, the folklore arts win a special position in the country due to the mixture of languages in one song. The Dhofari people speak Arabic and some speak Shihri language.
One of the rare folklore arts that is preserved till now is the Nana art. "Nana" has rules and principles. There are many poets who writes this type and many composers who are inspired by the nature to create its distinctive melodies. Nana expresses the various aspects of life.
Said al Hakmani, a poet and singer of the Nana art says, "The art of nana is a melodious art, performed without any musical instruments. It can be performed individually or collectively. It is dazzling with its melodies that carry a deep meaning, although that the phrases are relatively short.
The rural evening gatherings played an important role in preserving, developing and transmitting the art of “nana” to generations. These evenings have produced, throughout their history, a huge number of immortal poetic texts in the field of “nana” in addition to their active role in nourishing this art by increasing the number of poets and refining their talents.
The rural evenings in the old days are usually held after the rainy seasons when the land sprouts and nature blossoms, as well as in the moonlit nights and in weddings; specifically, on the night preceding the day of the wedding feast, as well as on various public social occasions. At the present time, rural evenings had been given enough space in the festivals in the Sultanate, and they are held regularly as formal as any cultural evening.
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