Dahmane El Harrachi
Encyclopedia
Dahmane El Harrachi (July 7, 1926 – August 31, 1980), was an Algerian Chaâbi singer of Chaoui
Berber
origin. He is mostly remembered for his song "Ya Rayah
" which has since been made famous again by Rachid Taha
.
He moved to France in 1949 living in Lille
, then Marseille
, before eventually settling in Paris
. It was in Paris where he made a name for himself, playing in the numerous Algerian cafés there.
He died on August 31, 1980 in a car accident on the highway in Algiers
.
village of Djellal
in the province of Khenchla
, was the Muaddin at the Great Mosque of Algiers
.
In 2009, his son Kamel El Harrachi issued a hommage CD to his father, titled "Ghana Fenou".
Chaoui
The Shawia people, or Chaouis are a Berber people who live mainly in the Aurès, Nememcha and Belezma Region in the Aurès Mountains, a large part of eastern Algeria known in ancient times as Numidia...
Berber
Berber people
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch...
origin. He is mostly remembered for his song "Ya Rayah
Ya Rayah
"Ya Rayah" is an Algerian "chaabi" song composed and performed in the 1970s by Dahmane El Harrachi . Up until the past 15 years this song was known to be Dahman El Harrachi's original song and in the Chaabi/Andalous tradition of Algiers...
" which has since been made famous again by Rachid Taha
Rachid Taha
Rachid Taha is an Algerian singer and activist based in France who has been described as "sonically adventurous." His music is influenced by many different styles such as rock, electronic, punk and raï.-Early life:Taha was born in 1958 in Sig , Algeria, although a second source suggests he was...
.
He moved to France in 1949 living in Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
, then Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
, before eventually settling in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. It was in Paris where he made a name for himself, playing in the numerous Algerian cafés there.
He died on August 31, 1980 in a car accident on the highway in Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
.
Personal
His father, originally from the ChaouiChaoui
The Shawia people, or Chaouis are a Berber people who live mainly in the Aurès, Nememcha and Belezma Region in the Aurès Mountains, a large part of eastern Algeria known in ancient times as Numidia...
village of Djellal
Djellal
Djellal is a town and commune in Khenchela Province, Algeria. According to the 1998 census it had a population of 3,637.-References:...
in the province of Khenchla
Khenchela Province
-Administrative division:The province is divided into 8 districts, which are further divided into 21 communes or municipalities.-Districts:# Khenchela, as a district and capital# Aïn Touila, located northeastern of capital...
, was the Muaddin at the Great Mosque of Algiers
Great Mosque of Algiers
The Great Mosque of Algiers or “Djama’a al-Kebir” is a mosque in Algiers, Algeria, located very close to Algiers Harbor. An inscription on the minbar منبر) or the pulpit testifies to fact that the mosque was built in 1097. It is also known by several other names such as Grand Mosque d'Alger,...
.
In 2009, his son Kamel El Harrachi issued a hommage CD to his father, titled "Ghana Fenou".