Palestinian tunes on the shibbabeh: new video of Doc Jazz playing folkloric melodies

by Doc Jazz · April 29, 2018

In a centuries-old tradition of Palestinian folkloric music, Doc Jazz is playing on the shibbabeh (Palestinian flute) in a new video. He published it both to Facebook – where it received a warm welcome – and to Youtube.

Traditionally, in the northern regions of what is nowadays known as the “West Bank”, Palestinian ‘fallaa7een’ (farmers) often had the shibbabeh as the only accompaniment for their dabkeh (the famous ‘stamping feet’ dance of Levantine Arabs).

Shibbabeh and dabkeh

Of course, they often also added a hand drum (darbuka). However, it was common to have only a shibbabeh and a singer, the rhythm being provided by the clapping hands of the audience and the stamping feet of their dabkeh. This usually took place at weddings. Nowadays, people often prefer a more modern setup of instruments. The instrument is now a much less regular occurrence, and the number of people who are able to play on it is dwindling.

Shepherd’s flute

The shibbabeh was often played by shepherds, who were perfecting their craft while their livestock was grazing the meadows of Palestine. In that sense, you could call it a ‘shepherd’s flute’.

It is quite imaginable that this flute dates back to Biblical times. Its melancholic melodies and tunes were probably already gracing the Palestinian landscape in the days of the Prophets.

The shibbabeh as cultural resistance

Preserving the shibbabeh is part of the struggle against the annihilation and appropriation of Palestinian culture, that the Israeli occupiers are hell-bent on completing. The shibbabeh and its typical sound and tune is untouchable. No invading Israeli will ever be able to claim it as part of his cultural heritage!

Doc Jazz deeply wishes to keep this typically Palestinian tradition alive. To help in achieving this, he has created a popular video tutorial which explains how to make your own flute. It is, in fact, very easy to make one! The video also provides some basic explanation on how to play it. Watch it here!

Below, you can watch the new shibbabeh video embedded into this post. Enjoy – and share!