Posts Tagged ‘traditional poetry’

Zajal

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

A form of popular poetry that is improvised and chanted in villages of the Levant region. This tradition is very strong in Lebanese villages and represents a very old form of entertainment. Zajal sessions usually take place in the evening, where 3 to 5 poets sit around a table in front of a large audience. The table would have been prepared for the poets with Arak spirit and mezza platters of Lebanese foods. The poets engage in a heated dual of poetry around a variety of themes such as satire and love. The chanting is usually accompanied by derbakkeh (Drum) and Daff (Tambourine) and clapping. Zajal is also used in traditional weddings and festivals.

Talih Hamdan
Odette Khoury Victor Mirza Danny Sfair