Listen to the Arousing Nubian Songs

ِAshraf Bek, as per the nickname his family gave him, is a renowned Nubian artist and musician from the artists'village of Abou Simbel, born and living in Alexandria. During his studies in Nubia, and inspired by the great master of Nubian song Mohammed Wardy, and the numerous artists, poets, composers and musicians of Abu Simbel, Ashraf Bek learned playing the keyboard and rhythm box, and became the first organist in Alexandria, and was playing and singing with all the Nubian artists.

After he got married and became father of two children, and started working at the Alexandria Court for the Ministry of Justice, Ashraf Bek left his artistic endeavors for 17 years. However, like most Nubian artists and scholars, he observed the dwindling interest and knowledge of the Nubian language, mainly in the young generation issued from Nubian families displaced from their lands due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1964.

Songs being the best means to awaken interest of the Nubian youth for their ancient and beautiful language, and to promote and preserve it, Ashraf Bek decided to start singing again. Encouraged also by Dr. Hassan Nour, who created the wonderful website Nobiin Dore Kolod writing the lyrics of Nubian songs and often translating them, and by the wonderful composer, musician, poet and singing artist Seid Ibrahim Qurty, who wrote and composed songs for him, Ashraf Bek returned to the artistic scene, warmly welcomed and applaused by a large enthousiastic public.

Loyal to the Nubian tradition, Ashraf Bek's songs contain a wise message to the people, and concentrate on Nubian customs and traditions, the homeland, the Nubian society and its kinships, interactions and sayings. In addition to his creative artistic productions, the wonderful Artist Ashraf Bek also trained and produces his "Arageed" traditional Nubian dance troupe, which adds excitement and a fantastic atmosphere to his performances.