Hiwar
performance, multimedia
Hiwar Feature
About
Zahed Sultan has had a keen interest in traditional pearl-diving music from the Arabian Gulf from a young age. He was exposed to it by his father and was intrigued by its complexity as well as its simplicity. Characterized by melancholic vocal phrases, syncopated clapping and percussive patterns - Fidjeri or Bahry (sea) music is performed communally. It is highly functional music and task oriented – with sub-genres that have a direct correlation to performing a task such as pushing a ship (dhow) out to sea, hoisting its sails or keeping time when a diver descends into the ocean in search of oysters. Often described as ‘journeys of death’ with thousands of men spending months at sea, the music explores themes of togetherness, belongingness, separation and loss. Here the journey began to understand its roots and uncover bridges to the present through a project he named Hiwar (Arabic for dialogue).
Format
Hiwar Feature is a signature performance that includes a folk band, choir, strings, dance, and visuals which reimagines pearl-diving music from the Arabian Gulf. (Suitable for all ages)
Videos
Through Hiwar, Zahed Sultan explores how pearl diving music from the Gulf and the culture surrounding it can evolve through reimagining its forms.
‘Hiwar’ (Arabic for dialogue), reimagines the land, mountain, and sea music of Oman featuring local Omani dancers, a choir, a strings section, and a folk band.
Intrigued by pearl diving music of the Arabian Gulf, Kuwaiti multimedia artist Zahed Sultan embarks on a journey to explore its roots and discover bridges.
Photos
Dubai, UAE
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Kuwait City, Kuwait