Traditional Music of Kuwait

Kuwaiti traditional music is mainly performed by women in private, with some all-female bands performing for public occasions (mostly women is not allowed to sing or danced in the public). Simple drumming instruments include clapping, and the small mirwas, alongside with the traditional Arabic instruments such as kanoon, kamaan and oud.  The Bedouin are known for an instrument known as the rubabah, while oud, tanbarah are string instrument and also habban is known as bagpipe which are also widespread.

source of picture: www.auk.edu.kw

Songs for wedding include Al-Fann, which is performed by percussionists and singers, all female, who also separately dance the Al-Khamary. Al-Sameri is another type of wedding dance.

The dance Al-Fareesa is performed on a certain national and religious holiday by women disguised as men. The dance acts out a fight between a horseman and two attackers. Other forms of traditional dance include the men’s sword dance ardah, which is followed by drums and tambourines, and the women’s khamari, fann at-tanboura, zifan, samiri and fraisah dance.

Al Arda Al Bahariya is a renowned Kuwaiti sailor song, as are al-Nahma, a class of songs that followed many sailing events. Mawleds are readings of parts from the Muhammad’s biography, chanted on religious holidays.

Fann at-Tanbura and Liwa are forms of music and dance that is performed mainly in the communities of Bantu peoples from the African Great Lakes area.