ُEnjoy the wonderful Nubian Musicians
Fascinating Nubian Songs & Music, Nubian Language,Literature, Visual Arts, Nubian History, Events & Contacts
Composers and musicians - the soul of Nubian song
When we listen to a pleasant song, we often forget that it needs enormeous effort, creativity and cooperation between the poet or songwriter, who gives the song its spiritual message, the composer, who wraps the poetic words into an enjoyable melody, and the musician or musicians, who convey their genius, experience and feelings into the song - all before the singer can add his own emotions and mastery of his voice. Although many Nubian artists didn't have the opportunity of pursuing musical studies, or reached only limited courses on how to play an instrument, most of the Nubian musicians and composers drew on their natural talent - and their involvement into songs and music since their very birth. The sense for music is part of their soul and daily life, and many Nubian children compete in singing among them, and love to listen to their elder relatives and neighbors when they play an instrument, observing their every movement and trying to repeat them, even on "mock" instruments they build themselves. They grow up becoming a poet, musician, singer or composer, contributing to the rich and extensive collection of Nubian songs, enthusiastically bringing joy, excitement and happiness to their community. While it is impossible to mention all musicians and composers who contributed to the amazing Nubian songs, we try here to mention some influential artists.
Nubian Musicians and Composers
Please note that the arrangement of the artists doesn't reflect any kind of ranking or appreciation, it results from the workflow. All the Artists deserve our admiration...
Mohammed Wardi - محمد وردي
Mohammed Wardi, born in 1932 in the Nubian town of Wadi Halfa, is called "The last Nubian king", the "Singer of the People", the "father of the Sudanese song", the "Singer of Africa". He is doubtlessly the most beloved all-round artist, both by Nubians and Arabs, with a large number of fans renewed from generation to generation. Not only was he a fabulous musician, composer, and maestro assembling a great orchestra - he was also the messenger of the people, not only in Sudan but for all of Africa. In his deeply meaningful songs, he faught for social justice, decolonization, redistribution of wealth, pan-Africanism, which led to his incarceration and forced him into exile, until his triumphant return. Up to this day, every Nubian artist sings Wardi's songs. When he died, His son Abdelwahab called him the Nile. Because as long as the Nile is running, the singing of Wardi flows on.
Hamza Ala'Eldin -حمزة عااء الدين
Born in the Nubian village of Toshka in Southern Egypt, Hamza Ala' Eldin adored music since his early childhood, when he fabricated a "mock"instrument and sang, pretending to play it. Although he studied engineering, he also attended "Oud" lessons in Cairo. Before the Aswan High Dam was completed, which would drown Nubian willages, he went on his donkey from village to village to collect Nubian songs, in a frantic effort to preserve them. After he gained a scholarship in Italy, he left to the United States teaching ethnomusicology, while singing Nubian songs - into which he had introduced the Oud and some Oriental influence, at various concerts worldwide, performing his song "Peace", Desse Barama, at the United Nations. Beside being a proficient Oud player, he also composed various songs and melodies. His great effort to spread and preserve Nubian songs and language are an example to follow.
Yousef Elmawsely - يوسف الموصثلي
Prof. Yousef El-Mawsely, from the Nubian town of Dongola in Sudan, is a very influential musician, maestro and composer who produced astonishing artwork as well with Nubian singers, in Sudan and all of Africa as well as in Great Britain and the United States of America. After obtaining three Masters degrees in Egypt and the US, Yousef El-Mawsely aimed at a doctors degree in traditional musicology. Beside many activities in leading positions at various artistic institutes and producers, he also founded and led several orchestras, chorals and mixed Sudanese-American orchestras. Beside producing impressive musical humanitarian appeals, Yousef El-Mawsely composed famous Sudanese songs sung by the late wonderful singer and musician Mustafa Seid Ahmed, notably the song "El Huzn El-Nabil". He composed and arranged Nubian songs with the exclusive artist Mohammed Wardi, as well as for the famous trio "El Balabil", and recently Fedwa Mohammed Othman.
Mekki Ali Idris - مكي علي ادريس
Prof. Mekki Ali Idris, a brilliant musician, composer, poet and painter from the region of Mahas in Northern Sudan, is an icon of Nubian art. Not only has he creatid some of the most beautiful, imkpressive Nubian Eposes, which are sung by all Nubian artists during events and concerts, he also composed some of the most immortan melodies imprinted by his creativity and artistic feelings. When he sings in his specific style, playing the "Kither", the classic Nubian music instrument, the public is completely immersed in his songs and participates singing the refrain and dancing, emphasizing the importance of his words. Prof. Mekki Ali Idris is also a fervant protector of the Nubian language and militant against attempts to construct more dams on the Nile, which would drown and eliminate the remainin Nubian lands, after a large part of them has already been submerged after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Shortly after writing these lines, we learnt with big sorrow that Prof. Mekki Ali Idris passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and with his family, and we wish that all Nubian artists contribute in keeping his songs alive.
Seid Ibrahim Qurty - سيد ابراهيم قورتي
Seid Ibrahim Qurty, born in the Nubian village of Ibrim in Southern Egypt, is an extraordinary, very prolific composer and musician, who created numberless melodies, mostly for a large variety of Nubian poets and singers. Not only is he a virtuoso Oud (Luthe) player, but also a wonderful singer with a tender, enchanting voice. His songs, poems and melodies are among the most beautiful of Nubian art, and he is a beloved artist wherever he goes, very much appreciated also for his kind, humble and friendly personality and his deep and honest love and devotion to Nubian art. Seid Ibrahim Qurty refuses to sing at events or to accept any compensation for his artwork, being convinced that art is too magnificent to be used for gain.
Assem Khitam - عاصم حتام
Assem Khitam is a wonderful all-round artist from Northern Sudan, famous for his numberless and varied Nubian and Sudanese songs, which he accompanies with mastery on his organ. In his boundless creativity, The musician Assem Khitam is not only composing and singing new songs every short while, but he is also arranging his own songs as well as numberless traditional Nubian and Sudanese artworks. Assem Khitam studied composition and orchestra direction in Sudan, and his passion goes to teaching music, singing and musical instruments to the young generation.
Waqas Haroun - وقاص هارون
The exceptional creative and prolific musician, artist, sound engineer and multimedia producer, Prof. Waqas Haroun, from Halfa's Arniti island, skillfully plays and sings a multitude of Nubian and Sudanese masterpieces. He also arranged and produced songs for several Nubian and Sudanese artists, adding renewal with his deep artistic feelings. He has participated in several concerts and festivals, in Sudan as in Egypt, Morocco and Germany, as well as in events and TV shows. Waqas Haroun stunns his audience with his astounding performance on the keyboard and his beautiful voice, always accompanying his songs with a smile.
Hamdy El-Dakrony - حمدي الدكروني
Hamdy El-Dakrony is a wonderful musician and music teacher, who has a musical studio in Aswan. Since the late last century, he collaborated with the great masters of the Nubian song, like the unforgettable Khidher El-Attar, Ramadhan Ahmed, and many other artists, musically arranging and recording their songs, and accompanying them with the organ during concerts and events. Since than, Hamdy El-Dakrony recorded the songs of many Nubian singers, and gives varied music lessons in his studio, contributing to the Nubian artists'mastery of the Nubian song and supporting the young generation of artists. His contribution to the Nubian music is immense.
Tareq Asfour - طارق عصفور
The musician Tareq Asfour, who studied music in his early years, is a famous artist known by all Nubian singers, musicians, and poets, mainly in Northern and Central Egypt, where he has a recording studio and arranged many of the famous Nubian songs of the last few decades, often accentuating them with beautiful chorals. Due to its location in Alexandria, there ara many artists living in or around that tow who hire his services to issue their songs.
Ahmed Abdellatif - احمد عبداللطيف
Ahmed Abdellatif is a very active musician and sound engineer whose recording studi has been requested since several years by many Nubian artists to put the final arragement and touch to their new songs. Beside issuing a wide variety of Nubian songs, Ahmed Abdellatif is also often present at concerts and events to manage the sound and provide the audience with the best listening experience.
Ashraf Bata - اشرق باطا
The wonderful artist, musician and composer Ashraf Bata, son of the famous master of the Nubian song, Abdallah Bata, who enchanted Nubians with his songs in the midst of the last century - and left a large legacy, is a remarkable musician and composer, mastering several instruments. His beautiful compositions and melodious tunes bring renewal to the Nubian song, while preserving its anthenticity. Together with his skillfull musical arrangements, Ashraf Bata gives all of his soul and emotions into his songs, captivating his enthousiastic audience with his velvety voice.
Majdi Bata - مجدي باطا
Majdi Bata from the artists'village of Abu Simbel, the eldest son of the late great singer and musician Abdallah Bata, devoted himself to music, composing and singing since his tender youth. Although he very successfully sings himself, accompanying his songs playing the Oud, many of the artists visiting his home asked him to compose melodies for them. Thus, since many years, he greatly enriched the beautiful collection of Nubian songs.
Hisham Bata - هشاك باطا
Hisham - who also emanates from the formidable artistic Bata family - is very active as well in composing fascinating melodies, both for himself as well as for many of his artist friends. He has a large base of fans, especially among the youth, who love listening to him and participating in his songs, and even his operette. Hisham Bata has developed his own singing and music style, much appreciated by the Nubian community.
Abdo Gourroub - عبده جروب
As one of the early musicians and artists who have greatly influenced the Nubian song, Abdo Gourroub is highly respected in Nubian cirles. He was one of the first musicians who introduced the organ into the Nubian song, thereby diversifying it. Not only does the great musician Abdo Gourroub sing and accompany his songs up to this day, he also plays a variety of music instruments, and even constructs them himself.
Majid Mounawar -مجيد منور
Among the most active Nubian artists and musicians from Upper Nubia, Northern Sudan, is the wonderful artist Majeed Mounawar from the village of Koya in the Mahas region. Not only is he a very skillful Oud player, he is also a great singer giving emphasis to the message of his songs, and a staunch lover of Nubia. Since his early youth, he sang and memorized almost all Nubian songs. Majeed Mounawar mostly sings and plays songs written and composed by the exceptional artist Mekki Ali Idris, but he also works with other poets, and arranges many artistic activities from Saudi Arabia, where he is living and working.
Makawy Hassanein -مكاوي حسنين
Makawy Hassanein is a highly respected musician, composer and singer from Upper Nubia, the Mahas region in Norther Sudan. His songs are based on the traditional music of his region, enriched with his skillful musical arrangement. When Makawy Hassanein sings songs about this country, emphasizing the deep meanting of their words, he touches the souls of anyone listening to him stirring their deepenst emotions.
Alshafia Kikha -الشفيع كيخة
One of the most successful artists from the town of Halfa in Northern Sudan is Alshafia Kikha. He is a wonderful musician and singer, composing and arranging most of his songs. Nourished by the rich musical tradition of the region, Alshafia Kikha brings joy and happiness to his audience with his creative songs and their touching words.
Karam Sultan - كرم سلطان
Karam Sultan is a wonderful musician and organ player from Abu Simbel, arranging his music in a creative and innovative way instilling and animating his melodies in inspiring ways, making Nubian music even more attractive. His commitment to the basics of the Nubian song, and against commercialization - as it is done by some young singers - led him to the creation of his Best Music youtube channel, in which he presents various excellent Nubian artists.
Ahmed Buko - احمد بكو
The charismatic young musician and artist Ahmed Buko, from the Nubian village Ballana in Southern Egypt, is a very prolific organ player accompanying many of the best Nubian artists during concerts, events, TV shows and some wedding parties. Together with his friends Karam Sultan and Ashraf Bata, he also encourages young Nubians interested in art, teaching them the basics of music, singing and playing musical instruments.
Hassan Adindan - حسن ادمدان
Hassan Adindan, nicknamed after the name of his birth village, as well is a wonderful musician and organ player, He selectively accompanies famous artists on the Nubian music scene, during concerts, events and artistic gatherings, enriching their songs with his creative skills. Occasionally Hassan Adindan also provides the musical arrangement during the recording of songs.
Dr. Mustafa Abdelqader - د. مصطفى عبدالقادر
Some of the most emotional and magnificent Nubian songs were gifted to the Nubian community by the brilliant poet and composer, Dr. Mustafa Abdelqader, from the Nubian village of Adindan in Southern Egypt. Dr. Mustafa Abdelqader is passionate about preserving Nubian heritage, and encourages young Nubians to document it in any available form. He is writing a book about the Nubian songs, with lyrics in Nubian letters, in which he emphasizes the importance of the songs in preserving the Nubian language.
Doola Al Ata - دولة العاطا
The renowned musician and artist Doola Al-Ata from the Nubian town of Dongola, in Northern Sudan, is beloved by all Nubians for his wonderful melodious songs, some of them sung together with the talented female singer Intisar Mahmoud. Doola Al-Ata also enchants his public with his beautiful orchestra and skillful musical arrangements, as well as his mastery of playing the traditional Nubian instrument "Tambour". He is one of the founders of the Andaandi Music Group for Heritage and Songs.
Zikrayat Welwele - زكريات ولولي
The enchanting artist, singer and composer Zikrayat has been living all her life immersed into Nubian art. Her famous father, the great artist Saleh Welwele who produced an incredible number of songs, incorporated her into his chorale and "arageed" ensemble since she was 8 years old. Not only does wonderful Zikrayat represent the Nubian song, she also writes and composes songs for other artists, as for Fedwa Mohammed, and sang many songs together with other Nubian artists, as Ghazi Said and Ahmed Ismail.
Amjad Saber - امجد صابر
Among the best known Nubian artists of Northern Sudan is the young Amjad Saber, from the island of Saï, whose love for music pushed him to study several music instruments. The charismatic artist and musician performs at numerous events, festivals and TV shows, as well as in concerts in the Arabian Peninsula and in Europe. Amjad Saber composed some of his songs, and engages with his public encouraging young singers and musicians. He also performed some songs with the famous Sudanese artist Taha Suleiman.
Yousef Kheiry - يوسف خيري
Expressing his passion for Nubia, Nubian heritage and language in his own emotional style, Yousef Kheiry, from the island of Atinari in Northen Sudan, plunges his enthousiastic audience deep into his songs and music. The skillful musician and singer composed several of his songs, chosing his profound lyrics from the best Nubian poets. Although he performs during many concerts and events, Youssef Kheiry also loves to sing with other artists during artistic gatherings.
Mohammed Ibrahim Kaboush - مخمد ابراهيم كبوش
The unique style of Mohammed Ibrahim Kaboush's songs, which he composes himself, let his stand out among Nubian artists and musicians. He sings all his songs playing Nubia's traditional and brandmark Nubian instrument, the "Tambur" of "Kither". Refusing to integrate modern music instruments into his songs, Ibrahim Kaboush defends the traditional Nubian music, played only with kither, tar and hand clapping.
Farah Al Masry - قرج الكصري
The wonderful artist Farah El Masry, from the Nubian village of Ballana, is an icon among Nubian artists and musicians. Born into an artsts'family, he was playing and singing in the first Nubian orchestras, with Ali Koban, Shams Hussein and Khidhir El=Attar since his very young age. Farah Al-Masry drives inspiration from his rich musical experience to produce wonderful songs, clinging to the pure Nubian tradition.
Ikrami Ismail - اكرامي اسماعيل
The young, multi-talented asrtist and musician Ikrami Ismail from Ibrim in Southern Egypt is not only a skilled organ player and influential singer, he is also a great composer and poet, who wrote some of his songs himself, and occasionally creates songs for other artists. Ikrami Ismail is attached to the Nubian tradition of singing in artistic gatherings rather than large concerts, however we should follow this promising artist who will always surprize us.
Ghazi Said - غازي سعيد
We don't think we exaggerate saying that the brilliant artist and OUd virtuoso Ghazi Said from the village of Eniba is the personification of the contemporary Nubian song. Expressing the meaning of his lyrics with feelings emanating from the depth of his soul, and accompanying them with his incredible mastery of his instrument, Ghazi Said literally draws his public into the depth, spiritual essence and musical perfection of Nubian music.
Nasser El Haj - ناصر الجاج
The poet from Abou Simbel Dr. Nasser El-Haj has written lyrics for several Nubian songs. Occasionally, he also composes melodies, notably for the great Nubian artist Eissa Tamim, who interpretes them with his long experience in the field of the Nubian song.
Hilmi Abuzeid - حلمي ابوزيد
Doubtlessly one of the most prolific and highly respected poets and composers in the Nubian community is the exceptional master Hilmy Abu Zeid from Abu Simbel. He has created close to 100 Nubian songs, all instilled with wise meanings and pleasant melodies, which are sung since decades by most Nubian artists at numberless events, concerts and artistic gatherings.
Ezz Eldin Abuzeid - عز الدين ابوزيد
Ezz Eldin Abuzeid is a poet and composer gifted with creativity, whose numberless songs mainly concentrate on the Nubians'wish for return to their motherland as well as on romantic songs filled with emotions. Ezz Eldin Abuzeid likes to promote young artists, encouraging them by letting them perform his songs to promote their careers.
Ahmed Ismail - اجمد اسماعيل
The fascinating young Nubian artist Ahmed Ismail combines his passion for music, his love for poesy and his determination to preserve and promote the Nubian song, language and heritage to perform amazing songs, often in collaboration with other artists. Ahmed Ismail is loved and highly respected by all Nubians, and beside singing at events, he often represents Nubian art on TV broadcasts.
Fikry El Kashef - فكري الكاشف
Fikry El-Kashef is an exemplary artist and musician, who devoted all his life in his effort to preserve Nubian music and heritage, Nubian literature, culture and traditions and to make them known not only in surrounding countries, but also worldwide. If you are looking for traditional Nubian music, visit his Nubian guesthouse in Abu Simbel, where he sings and plays Oud regularly with other artists.
Ezz Eldin Mohammed - عز الدين محمد
Ezz Eldin Mohammed, also known by his nickname Abu Sidqy, is a wonderful artist, musician, composer and poet singing in the Kenzi (Matokki) Nubian language. His passion for music since his young age, first adapting Nubian words to Arabic tunes, led him to the creation of his own orchestra introducing modern instruments. Ezz Eldin Mohammed regularly performs at events and concerts, highly appreciated by his fans.
