By Samira Al-Hamdi, Arts & Culture Correspondent l
In the heart of Sana’a, amid its labyrinthine alleyways and centuries-old mudbrick towers, a quiet yet profound revolution is taking place—not of arms or politics, but of rhythm and remembrance. Here, artists are tuning qanbūs strings, composing verses in classical Arabic and dialect alike, and giving voice to Yemen’s vibrant musical legacy. For a country whose recent headlines have been dominated by hardship, the melodies rising from its capital tell another story: one of endurance, pride, and cultural resurgence.
Despite the pressures of globalization and conflict, Yemeni musicians are breathing new life into their ancestral sounds. They are not only preserving the music of past generations but evolving it, blending tradition with innovation to ensure its relevance in a changing world.
The Qanbūs and the Heartbeat of Heritage
At the core of this movement is the qanbūs—a centuries-old lute once played in the royal courts of Saba and Hadhramaut. Though it fell into relative obscurity in the 20th century, modern musicians like Ahmed Alshaibani have championed its return. Alshaibani, a leading figure in Yemen’s musical renaissance, integrates traditional maqams with subtle modern flourishes, appealing to both elders and youth.
“You can’t keep a tradition alive by freezing it in time,” he told Al Jazeera. “You have to let it breathe.”
Alshaibani’s compositions often blend poetic lyrics passed down orally with fresh arrangements. This balancing act—preserving cultural authenticity while adapting to modern sensibilities—has proven remarkably successful. Social media platforms now host performances of samra and zahfah, traditional Yemeni musical genres, to thousands of viewers both in Yemen and across the diaspora.
Music as a Cultural Bridge
Traditional Yemeni music has always been a vessel for storytelling. Songs recount tales of love and loss, war and peace, celebration and mourning. These melodies often reflect the lived realities of Yemeni society—stories of longing during migration, resilience amid conflict, or communal joy during weddings and harvests.
“Every song is a history book,” says Dr. Arwa Othman, a prominent folklorist and former Minister of Culture. “They are our collective memory, our moral code, our emotional language.” (UNESCO)
Community gatherings and local festivals in Sana’a and other cities like Taiz and Ibb have become crucial platforms for this art form. Events such as Layali Sana’a (Nights of Sana’a), often held in restored courtyard homes or cultural centers, bring together musicians, poets, and elders to perform and pass on these traditions.
Festivals of Sound and Solidarity
Even amidst economic hardship, local cultural festivals continue to thrive. These gatherings are more than just entertainment—they are expressions of identity. Attendees dance the bara’a, a traditional dagger dance, as musicians play ʿūd and percussion. Street vendors sell samak mashwi and mutabbag, and families listen together as singers recount stories of their forebears.
One such event, the Yemeni Music Revival Festival, held annually in Sana’a’s Old City, draws artists from across the country. According to Yemen’s General Organization for Antiquities and Museums, these festivals have seen a significant rise in youth participation in recent years—an encouraging sign that the music will endure.
Resistance in Melody
In Yemen, music has long been a quiet form of resistance. During periods of censorship or civil unrest, artists embedded political messages within their songs. Today, musicians continue this tradition, addressing themes such as displacement, injustice, and hope.
Groups like Al-Balāgh Band and independent singer-songwriters such as Ayoob Tarish use their music to comment on social issues while invoking pride in Yemen’s heritage. Their songs, often shared virally across WhatsApp and YouTube, foster unity among fragmented communities and affirm a shared cultural identity.
A Song That Will Not Be Silenced
Perhaps most remarkable is how this musical revival is forging cross-generational bonds. In homes across Yemen, grandparents teach grandchildren old folk songs; in classrooms, teachers incorporate traditional instruments into music education. Even in displacement camps, NGOs such as Musicians Without Borders are using music therapy to help war-affected youth reconnect with their roots.
“Music reminds us of who we are,” says Amal Al-Yafai, a Sana’a-based educator and singer. “It helps us remember joy, even when there’s so little of it around.”
A Harmonious Future
The songs of Sana’a are more than melodies. They are the audible threads that stitch together generations, values, and dreams. And as Yemeni artists continue to safeguard and adapt their cultural heritage, they offer the world not just music—but a model of creative resilience.
As one old proverb says, “He who forgets his songs forgets himself.” In Yemen, it seems, the music plays on.
