Afghan music censorship

Subject: Afghan music censorship
From: Cappuccino
Date: 26 Nov 01 - 11:59 PM

An interesting musical story on Afghanistan has cropped up in the British newspaper, The Guardian - a brief look at what the Taliban censorship of music has done to the country's folk culture.

The writer begins: "In December 1998 a local newspaper in western Afghanistan reported that a "number of unlawful instruments and goods" had been collected and publicly burned. The inventory included televisions, cassette players and VCRs and thousands of tapes, and also included musical instruments, justified by an accompanying hadith [a report of the sayings or actions of the Prophet Mohammed] declaring that "those who listen to music and songs in this world, on the Day of Judgment molten lead will be poured into their ears".

Elsewhere, he goes on to explain how radio allowed a variety of Afghan folk musicians to perform in a way they couldn't do in public, because music was a lower-class occupation – but on radio, women and even the prime minister's son could perform, anonymously. He reports that "the Taliban repression of women has had a severe impact on musical culture. Women's performance was the bedrock for musical life in Afghanistan. Although traditionally playing different instruments from men at different venues and occasions, this is the music that children heard as they grew up,"

My apologies for the lack of blue clickies (I can barely understand the instructions for sticking a stamp on an envelope, never mind websites) so the references are:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4275880,00.html

or, e-mail me at [e-mail] and I'll mail you the text.

Can You Stop The Birds Singing? by John Baily, and examples of Afghan music including Taliban chants, can also be found on a fascinating website about freedom of expression in music - the Freemuse website www.freemuse.org

- IanB

Subject: RE: Afghan music censorship
From: Kaleea
Date: 27 Nov 01 - 01:34 AM

Whenever any group, individual or government has the power to make law, the law will reflect the wishes of the group, individual or government. If an "art" form does not reflect the ideals &/or beliefs of the makers of the laws, then that "art" will be abolished and "art" will be substituted in its place which does reflect the ideals & beliefs of the lawmakers. The definition taught to me by my Old Music History Professor is that Art is a reflection of mankind. Art which is allowed in a free state, such as the USA, will reflect the ideals & beliefs of all the people. It stands to reason that the "Taliban" would decree what "art" is, just as in any other state ruled by a dictator.

Subject: RE: Afghan music censorship
From: SeanM
Date: 27 Nov 01 - 01:44 AM

Link from above

M

Subject: Music and Islam
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Nov 01 - 04:32 AM

I don't know anything about the music of Afghanistan or other Islamic countries. Can anybody fill us in? Does Islam generally frown upon music?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Afghan music censorship
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 27 Nov 01 - 08:31 AM

The artist formerly known as Cat Stevens certainly hasn't produced anything worthwhile since he started wearing a turban. Richard Thompson, on the other hand didn't let his dalliance with Islam (which may still be ongoing for all I know) stop him from making great music.

Murray

Subject: RE: Afghan music censorship
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 27 Nov 01 - 11:20 AM

I don't know much about this either, but I get the sense this is a matter of interpretation, with the Taliban representing the most extreme interpretation available. Censorship of music has come up in other religions and cultures as well. Living in New England (northeast USA), I am aware of old "blue" laws passed by our Puritan forebears which severely restricted the type of instruments and music which could legally be played. My guess is that music is only banned under the most extreme interpretations of Islamic law, just as it has been under other extremist regimes in other cultures.

Subject: RE: Afghan music censorship
From: M.Ted
Date: 27 Nov 01 - 12:28 PM

I don't know if it is possible to do a very good job of filling you in on Islamic/Middle Eastern Music in a short space, but rest assured, there is a lot of it--the musical traditions are strong, and very long. Of course, their are many cultures in the Middle East, and many more in Islam, each with it's own classical, folk, and pop music--

I don't know a lot about Afghani music, but what I have heard is wonderful--it combines the melodic qualities of Turkish/Arabic/Persian music with the fluid and elastic feel of Indian music--Because it is a primarily tribal culture, music and dance play an important role in both socializing, and transmitting news and information--the ballad tradition is definitely alive, and even as we speak, many Afghanis are getting their only news about the war from songs--

As to Middle Eastern Music in general, it is rooted in Turkish Classical music, even the music in clubs and in the movies--The top performers are as well known as pop stars in the West. and perhaps even more important--unlike in the West, performers are regarded as one of most important vehicles for the culture--The icons include Um Kholtoum(legendary singer, sort of the Ella Fitzgerald/Aretha Franklin), Farid Al-Atrash(Singer/songwriter/Oud player, sort of the Elvis/Dylan/Clapton), and Mohammed Abdel Wahab(, performer/composer who created the modern sound, sort of the Duke Ellington). (Spellings are arbitrary)

Subject: RE: Afghan music censorship
From: 53
Date: 27 Nov 01 - 09:55 PM

just give good old rock and roll. BOB