Marfa Music
Encyclopedia
The Marfa is an Arab
rhythmic music. played with high tempo using daf
f, Dhol
, sticks
, steel pots and wooden strips
called thapi. The Chorus effect
s and vocal meter are set according to beats.
It was introduced during 18th century in Hyderabad State
by the Arab
Siddi community
diaspora, who use to serve as a Cavalry
Guards of Asif Jahi Nizams irregular army. Asif Jahi Nizams had patronized Marfa Music and it was performed during there official celebrations and ceremonies. It got popular in India
, particularly in Hyderabad state
. It was brought to Hyderabad State
by the arab
diaspora of siddi
s.
Arabic
word used for Kettledrum. Due to the large influence of Yemenis on the culture of Ethiopia
n siddi
, the word Marfa got symbolized for the music played using Kettledrum. Where as kettledrums are replaced with handay kettledrum in Siddi
form of Marfa Music played in Hyderabad, India
.
A typical dance is performed jigging with swords
and sticks based on tempo and rhythm of music. This music is performed only by men, where as dances and jigging is common among both male and female.
as part of the annual celebration on the occasions of Independence Day
and Republic Day
at Red Fort, New Delhi
, India
.
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
rhythmic music. played with high tempo using daf
Daf
A daf is a frame drum used as a musical instrument in popular and classical music. The term daf is used in Iran / Kurdistan for a large drum that has a series of four interlinked rings in the frame. Daf is mostly used in Middle East, Iran, Armenia, Pakistan, Turkey, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and ...
f, Dhol
Dhol
Dhol can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. Its range of distribution in India and Pakistan primarily includes northern areas such as the Assam Valley, Bengal, Gujarat,...
, sticks
Percussion instrument
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, steel pots and wooden strips
Strips
The term strips has various meanings:* A financial option composed of one call option and two put options with the same strike price* A treasury security acronym for Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities, which are the securities obtained when trading the coupons and...
called thapi. The Chorus effect
Chorus effect
In music, a chorus effect occurs when individual sounds with roughly the same timbre and nearly the same pitch converge and are perceived as one...
s and vocal meter are set according to beats.
It was introduced during 18th century in Hyderabad State
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
by the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
Siddi community
Siddi
The Siddi, Siddhi, or Sheedi , also known as Habshi, are an Indian and Pakistani ethnic group of Afro-Arab and/or Black African descent. The Siddi population is currently estimated to be 20,000–55,000, with Gujarat and Hyderabad in India the main population centre. Siddis are mainly Sufi Muslims,...
diaspora, who use to serve as a Cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
Guards of Asif Jahi Nizams irregular army. Asif Jahi Nizams had patronized Marfa Music and it was performed during there official celebrations and ceremonies. It got popular in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, particularly in Hyderabad state
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
. It was brought to Hyderabad State
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
by the arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
diaspora of siddi
Siddi
The Siddi, Siddhi, or Sheedi , also known as Habshi, are an Indian and Pakistani ethnic group of Afro-Arab and/or Black African descent. The Siddi population is currently estimated to be 20,000–55,000, with Gujarat and Hyderabad in India the main population centre. Siddis are mainly Sufi Muslims,...
s.
Origin
Marfa is an YemeniYemeni
Yemeni may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to Yemen**Demographics of Yemen**Culture of Yemen**Yemeni British**Yemeni American**List of Yemenis* Note that there is no language called "Yemeni", though there is the Yemeni Arabic dialect....
Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
word used for Kettledrum. Due to the large influence of Yemenis on the culture of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n siddi
Siddi
The Siddi, Siddhi, or Sheedi , also known as Habshi, are an Indian and Pakistani ethnic group of Afro-Arab and/or Black African descent. The Siddi population is currently estimated to be 20,000–55,000, with Gujarat and Hyderabad in India the main population centre. Siddis are mainly Sufi Muslims,...
, the word Marfa got symbolized for the music played using Kettledrum. Where as kettledrums are replaced with handay kettledrum in Siddi
Siddi
The Siddi, Siddhi, or Sheedi , also known as Habshi, are an Indian and Pakistani ethnic group of Afro-Arab and/or Black African descent. The Siddi population is currently estimated to be 20,000–55,000, with Gujarat and Hyderabad in India the main population centre. Siddis are mainly Sufi Muslims,...
form of Marfa Music played in Hyderabad, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Forms
Marfa music is classified in three different musical rhythmic beats.A typical dance is performed jigging with swords
Swords
A sword is a cutting/thrusting weapon made of metal. Sword or swords may also refer to:* Swords, County Dublin, Ireland* Suit of swords, a suit in Latin-suited playing cards and Tarot decks* SWORDS, a ground-based military robot...
and sticks based on tempo and rhythm of music. This music is performed only by men, where as dances and jigging is common among both male and female.
- sewari
- bamb sheklah and
- ya abu bakar-ya abu salah.
Popularity
Playing Marfa has become popular in hyderabad and it is considered as mark of traditional welcome. Since 1951, it is performed officially by the government of IndiaGovernment of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
as part of the annual celebration on the occasions of Independence Day
Independence Day (India)
The Independence Day of India is celebrated on the fifteenth of August to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation in 1947. The day is a national holiday in India. All over the country, flag-hoisting ceremonies are conducted by the local administration in...
and Republic Day
Republic Day (India)
The Republic Day of India commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950....
at Red Fort, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.