Music for the soul... folk music

Every culture has its own interpretations of music and dance.

They hold special significance in the past; now is it a dying art of the world?

The world has moved on so far that it could be obsolete in some parts of the world. In other areas it is part of the cultural identity. The folk songs have stories that make it possible for them to be remembered forever because they are passed on from generation to generation. They are cherished, and I remember I had become familiar with some of the historical characters through folk songs.

Folk dances are an opportunity for a whole community to participate together. The vibration is high and the sense of belonging greater. Today we look at various ways to stay fit, but in the past, folk dances were a way of life.

Folk music comes under intangible cultural heritage, but there are some elements of it that are tangible, such as the musical instruments.

The Oman Folk Music Festival, organised by the Royal Opera House Muscat, gave an insight into the world of music festivals. It was good to note that in the featured countries, folk music and dance are thriving and celebrated. The performers and directors are from well-established academies.

Unesco recognises folk music as part of intangible cultural heritage. Part of the tangible culture is also the traditional costumes. Today, with intellectual copyrights in place, the traditional music also has its identity protected. Now this also brings into focus the poetry.

According to the Unesco, the types of Intangible cultural heritage include oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage; performing arts; social practices, rituals, and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; traditional craftsmanship.”

Now the question is how this intangible cultural heritage can be preserved.

At this year’s Oman Folk Music Festival, the featured countries, along with Oman, were Bulgaria, South Korea, and India. The teams also portrayed modern interpretations.

Of course life has evolved; so have the life experiences. And art interprets life. Today’s art can also become tomorrow’s heritage. But the best way to preserve the intangible is to ensure the young generation carries on. And for that they need to be exposed to the art forms and be given the opportunity to learn and perform.

In Oman, most of the traditional art forms are presented during the traditional festivals. Today the festivals, such as Muscat Nights and Salalah Festival during khareef, are another incentive for people to carry on the traditions. As seen during the Salalah festival, different wilayats of Oman take great pride in showcasing the tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

According to the Unesco, the 2003 Convention defines ICH as the practices, representations, and expressions, as well as the knowledge and skills, that communities, groups, and, in some cases, individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage.

“The definition also indicates that the ICH to be safeguarded by this convention is transmitted from generation to generation; is constantly recreated by communities and groups, in response to their environment, their interaction with nature, and their history; provides communities and groups with a sense of identity and continuity; promotes respect for cultural diversity and human creativity; is compatible with international human rights instruments; and complies with the requirements of mutual respect among communities and of sustainable development.”

Human creativity is known to promote peace and understanding. When the differences keep us apart, cultural understandings bring people closer, as was witnessed at the Oman Folk Music Festival, which saw a fully packed audience.