A musical evening

Posted by Sojourner (Aqcha, Afghanistan) on 11 November 2007 in Lifestyle & Culture.

It's not that I like this picture very much for its quality (I really don't like flash!), but I wanted to show you these classical Turkmen musicians (that's what they call themselves as they use songs from the past that have lyrics often from the great Sufis and play ancient instruments) as they seem a dying breed. I sometimes organize a 'musical evening' in our office compound for some traditional musicians to come and play because I would hope to encourage these kinds of cultural expressions, hoping that retaining some of these helps people to feel they are distinct and colorful, adding something unique and good to the tapestry of the nations. Hmm, that sounds a little lyrical, but God knows how important it is when you're part of a minority group, as these Turkmen are. Instruments used here are the Dutar (Two-string and, in this case, surprisingly amplified by battery) and the Ghejak (upright with bow).

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