(; sometimes spelled , , or ) is the specific repertoire of vocal music sung by the pearl divers of Eastern Arabia's coastal Gulf states, especially Bahrain and Kuwait. A lead singer is backed up by a chorus of accompanying singers and clapping. The accompanying instruments to a ensemble are a small double-sided hand-drum, known as the () and the (), a clay pot played with both hands.

There are eight genres of : (sung on the beach, not on the boat), , , , , , , and ; the last two are viewed as subgenres of and respectively. and are the two main genres. Pearl diver singers are referred to in Arabic as (). Salem Allan and Ahmad Butabbaniya are two of the most well-known singers from Bahrain.

See also

• Music of Bahrain

• Music of Kuwait

• Culture of Eastern Arabia

• Sawt (music)

• Liwa (music)

• Pearl diving

Further reading

External links

• Youtube clip of The Ghalali traditional music and dance group performing a Fijiri song in a village near Muharraq, Bahrain, October 7 2009

• Audio samples of Salem Allan and Ahmad Butabbanya on Zeryab.com