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Well come to Dr. Alfateh Hussain website
here you can know more about
the sudanese music
Music is life
Recalling an earlier era, Dr. Alfateh, explain that at the beginning of the 19th century Sudanese melodies and tunes, arose from agricultural, hunting and herding activities.
"These matured, in different ways and patterns, the most important of which were dirges, songs for weddings and festivals which spread among cattle herders."
During the Mahdist state another dimension was added through the mixing of tunes and melodies of western Sudan with those of central Sudan.
"At that time Omdurman was home to communities which represented most Sudanese tribes. As a result tribal, ethnically – based singing was the order of the day. Each community sang the songs which they brought with them.
But some singers and musicians didn't belong to any of the main ethnice communities Omdurman .This allowed them to cross the tribal and regional barriers.
"Together they laid the corner-stones of what was to become a national style, steadily replacing tribal music. People like Mohamed Wad al Faki became famous as they moved from one quarter to the next singing and playing at festive occasions."
By the early years of the 20th century the main features , basically African , of Sudanese national music were in place .The next stage in the history of music in Sudan came in 1940's as a direct result of WWII through Omdurman Radio.
Apart from news about the war , singers and musicians were introduced , including some who became household names through radio , like Ahmed al Mustafa , Hssan Atya, Ibrahim Al Kashif , Ismail Abdulmoeen and others ,"
These had access to the public through studio broadcasting and recording with microphones the need for the traditional chorus singing was reduced and a more intimate individual style developed.
"There are several types of local instruments used in playing music in Sudan , which in the north is based on the pentatonic.
"One of the most common instruments throughout Sudan is the tambour .This is a chordophone instruments with several different names in Sudan , but with basically the same feature and principles of these names , there are also the rabbaba and um Kiki , which is common in western and southern Sudan.
"As for the rhythmic instruments, the most common are drums with all of there variations .As well-known type of drum is the nehas, a large drum, which was used for public announcements and celebrations by many tribes, especially in western Sudan. Also there is the taar,a smoller instruments that is widespread in the northern tribes .Then there is the nuggaara which is another type of drum , common with the tribes of south and west Sudan .In the large cities and towns , the modern musical instruments are well –known and commonly used."
The result is a felicitous middle ground between the traditional and the contemporary wherein musicians such as Dr.Alfateh mix Arab-scaled Western instruments like the violin, guitar and accordion with dominant lines on the traditional Afro – Sudanese instruments and densely layered percussion.
" We do not usually use Arab musical instruments such as the oud and the zither because our rhythms do not have the 1/4 tone mainly present in Arab music . Our musicians use western musical instruments such as the organ, accordion, guitar, because they have the semi-quaver we also have in our music."
Sudanese music is not overly-electrified unduly tricked-up with studio gimmicks.
"The singers enunciate their words differently. Singing in unhurried cadences.
The lyrics are celebratory, nostalgic, sometimes humorous, and sometime serious often; they are used to express love for woman.
"There are relatively few female singers in Sudan. This is because of our social traditions, Families just to do not allow their daughters to sing. But there are a few outstanding Sudanese female vocalists."
"Egyptian music has its own very unique flavor, representing Egypt in all its geographic variations and has become known throughout the Arab world. Some of the modern light-traditional Egyptian and Sudanese songs are from the same original Arab folklore. If they are developed in a correct manner, as the Egyptians have done,. Sudanese songs can really become more widespread in the Arab world.
Sudanese music, despite or because of its differences is now known and admired by listeners everywhere in the region. I and many other Sudanese artists take extra care to make our music known to Arab and international audiences. In Cairo, for example, the public likes Sudanese songs, not just the Sudanese living here. They cheer and clap. They are a great audience," says Dr.Alfateh who next performs in Egypt. With the troupe, featuring singer Essam M. Noor , at the 15th Citadel Festival for Music and Songs .
" In the beginning of my career I admired many Arab singers from Egypt , Syria Iraq , Tunisia , Algeria and of course , some outstanding singers and musicians from Sudan particularly Sharhbil Ahmed . I have an admiration for this guy , now a friend of mine , He started in playing 1960 and is still touring , he played in Cairo this July . I emulate his example of trying to preserve the Sudanese and Arab musical heritage and present it in a new."
Family life
Dr.Alfateh Hussain married to Maha Bakhit , whom he met while she was a student at Khartoum University enrolled in the Faculty of low . She attained her Masters in copyright low , and is currently working on her PhD .Today , Cairo –based Maha is employed at the Arab league after being selected to help establish the copyright office . They have three children, Rawan 14, Razan 12, Tibyan , four.
" It's difficult sometimes living for months apart , but the benefits for my wife ., in her career and for the children's education outweigh any problems. I am a musician and she is a lawyer and our life can be quite different. I record until late at night and she rises early for her work. But we understand each other and give support to other to fulfill our goals."
