The Love Songs of Sudan
Since the early days of Sudanese music, love, romance and affairs of the heart have always been common themes in our music. Many of the Sudanese songs we hear today are versions and/or remakes of songs written and performed decades ago.
Today’s generation might be familiar with some of the songs they hear but are unaware of their origins. Sudanese singers such as Mohamed Wardi, Ibrahim Al-Kashif, Abdel Karim Al-Kabli and Osman Hussein Al-Shafi, to name a few, are legends who left behind love songs, be it for an individual or our country, that have lived throughout time and have become legendary.
Much of Sudan’s music from the ear of pre-independent Sudan was referred to as haqeeba, which is a widely respected and popular genre in Sudanese culture. Haqeeba, which is the Arabic word for ‘suitcase’, mainly refers to poetry, and the last poems written by haqeeba poets were in the late 1940s to early 1950s. The genre of music was referred to as haqeeba stating that the old records of songs were stored in suitcases.
Soon after haqeeba came a new era of modern Sudanese music which moved beyond the rhythms of traditional drums to orchestras. However, haqeeba is still performed today in its original style and with orchestras or musical bands and has a wide fan base.
Whether it’s haqeeba or modern Sudanese music, here are some of the most romantic Sudanese songs in history:
“Almasir” – Ibrahim Awad
Written by poet Saif Alden Aldosoqi, “Almasir” first came out in the 1970s. It is still relevant with many Sudanese singers still singing it today including Nancy Ajaj, Asim Mohamed Nour, Nader Khidir and more. Nancy Ajaj is known to sing many of the late Ibrahim Awad’s songs and she sings “Almasir” beautifully.
“Ani Malom” – Asha Al Falateya
“Ani Malom” first came out in the 1950s. Who wrote the song, however, is unknown. The song is about losing communication with a loved one and wondering where he or she is.
“Dama’at Al Shoug” – Abdelkarim Abdullah (Karoma)
“Habitat Oumri” – Abdul Karim Al-Kabli
“Hijrat Asafeer Alkharif” – Mohamed Wardi
“Hikmah Wallah Wa Hekayah” – Ahmed Aljabri
It’s unsure who wrote this song. Some sources say Mohammed Ali Abu Qatati while others say Seif Aldosooqi. The song, which is about a lover having mixed feelings, was released in the 1970s by Ahmed Aljabri.
“Khadari” – Hassan Attieah
A heartfelt song about a lost love and a broken heart, “Khadari” by Hassan Attieah was released in the 1950s. It was originally written by Abdelraham Al Rayah.
“Laila Brouqaha Talouh Fi Ghamamaha” – Badi Mohamed Tayeb
“Rabe’ Aldunya” – Osman Hussein Al-Shafi
“Qayid Al Ustul” – Alhaj Mohammed Ahmed Sorour
This recording of “Qayid Al Ustul” is not the best, as are many of the audio and video recordings from the pre-independent Sudan. However, it’s the only original audio recording of the haqeeba song found on YouTube, thanks to the YouTube channel, Aghani Zaman أغانى زمان. Originally sung by Alhaj Mohammed Ahmed Sorour and written by poet Sayed Abdulaziz around the 1920s, “Qayid Al Ustul” has lived throughout time sung by popular Sudanese music artists including Mustafa Sid Ahmed, Mahmoud Abdelaziz, Asim Al Bana and more.
“Youm Al Mahrajan” – Ibrahim Al-Kashif
Written by Alsir Qadoor, a well-known Sudanese poet and host of the popular Ramadan music show, Aghani wa Aghani, “Youm Al Mahrajan” was released in the 1960s by Ibrahim Al-Kashif. It has since been covered by several Sudanese singers such as Asim Mohamed Nour, Asim Al Bana, Jamal Farfoor and more.
What’s your favourite song on the list? Or what other songs do you think should be added to the list? Leave a comment in the comment section below!
Hashim Ahmed is an accountant based in Qatar, who loves history and politics. ‘I’m no historian, but here to make my predecessors proud,’ he says. Hashim loves all things Sudan.
