WOMAD

Waaberi

From Somalia

Waaberi is the Somali for "morning" and, after long years of cultural suppression during the east African country's civil war of the eighties and nineties, this group's music does represent a new dawn. The seven performers are exiles, all former members of Somalia's national theatre who have reunited in Europe to make the music of their home country. Somalia's geographical location made it an ideal place for African and Arabic traders to exchange goods and, over the centuries, both these elements have been drawn into the country's culture. The Arabic oud is a key instrument, and Asian drums have been used for centuries. But one vital factor for Somali instruments is that they must be portable. This is a culture that has developed among nomadic tribes, so the weight of any item on long journeys becomes very important. So, on Waaberi's debut album for Real World records ('New Dawn', released this year), the musicians use water bottles and teacups as well as bongoes. Waaberi's main singer is Maryam Mursal, who began singing in Somali clubs in 1966. There are jazzy, almost scat-like inflections in her style and, coupled with the distinctively Somali style of oud playing, this gives the music a feeling that is close to blues. Maryam was virtually silenced during the country's years of dictatorship and had to leave Somalia on foot with her five children, walking across the country and through deserts to Djibouti. She now lives and works in Denmark and is recording a solo album, also due to be released on Real World Records. The oud player, whose darting style drives each song, is Salah Qasim and the album also features Egyptian tabla player Hossam Ramzy. It was produced by Simon Emmerson (who also works with Baaba Maal, Afro Celt Sound System and Madagascar's Tarika).