Algerian Raï, the influential popular music that spread throughout North Africa, was inscribed in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The recognition took place during The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meeting in Rabat, Morocco from November 28 to December 3, 2022.
Raï is a popular genre of folk music originated in the city of Oran in the early 20th century, and is characterized by its emotionally charged lyrics and energetic, danceable rhythms. Raï songs often deal with themes of love, social justice, and political resistance, and are often critical of the traditional conservative values of Algerian society. The music was typically performed by male vocalists, accompanied by electric guitars, percussion, and keyboards.
Raï has its roots in the traditional music of the Berber people of the region, but has also been influenced by a variety of other musical styles, including classical Arabic music, European pop, and American jazz and blues. In the 1980s, raï began to gain international popularity, with artists like Cheb Khaled (later known as simply Khaled) and Cheb Mami achieving fame outside of Algeria. Today, raï remains a popular and influential genre, both in Algeria and across the Arab world, performed by men and women.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
One very important name wasn’t mention, Cheikha Remitti!