Hermel
The city of Hermel is one of the very few areas in Lebanon that carries both Bedouin and Rural characteristics, clearly present in its people’s lifestyle and traditions. Nestled in northeastern Lebanon with an elevation of 780 meters above sea level, Hermel is home to approximately 50,000 people. Located 143 km from the capital city of Beirut, its closest city is Baalbek. Agriculture has long been the backbone of Hermel’s economy. However, as the economic landscape evolved, and with the impact of environmental degradation on agriculture, the community’s economy has shifted to include crafts and services as well. Nevertheless, this shift has allowed Hermel to adapt to the changing times and ensure the survival and prosperity of its residents.
In Hermel, the music scene is a beautiful combination of old folk tunes and modern melodies. Traditional instruments such as the Rababa, Minjaira, Ney, Oud, and Tabel, are still very much a part of the local music, resonating with the echoes of ancient folk tunes. However, the region’s musical landscape has also embraced modern instruments like the guitar, and keyboard piano, bringing a contemporary twist to the music. Interestingly, musicians in Hermel do not primarily rely on their craft for income.
They participate in regular training sessions organized by the municipality, where they are taught both modern and traditional musical skills. Music is celebrated on various occasions in Hermel, such as birthdays, parties, and family gatherings. Additionally, the town has a dedicated Music Day (21st of June) that brings the community together to celebrate their love for music. It is a vibrant and lively atmosphere, where both locals and visitors can enjoy the beautiful melodies and rhythms of the region.
Instruments
The Rababa/Rubab
This is the Arabic version of the Rababa, which is part of a family of musical instruments characterised by being wooden and having a single string, and they are played with a wooden bow and often share the same name. The Rababa appeared in ancient times across many civilizations, from India to Persia and the Arab world. Considering the raw materials used to make the Arabic Rababa, its place of origin can be inferred as the Arabian Desert (such as the Iraqi desert, the Euphrates, the Arabian Peninsula, and arid areas such as the Hermel District). These materials are beech wood to make the sound box, sheepskin to cover the surface of the box, a single string made of horsehair, and a wooden bow made of pomegranate wood or bamboo for its flexibility, over which another horsehair string is stretched.
The Shabbabeh/Minjaira
A wind musical instrument, also known as the Minjaira, Banjira, or Qusseiba. It is renowned for its high-pitched, whistle-like sound, which is attributed to the slim and relatively short size of its reed (approximately 38 cm). The Shabbabeh is particularly famous in the deserts of Jordan and the Hauran plain in general, as well as in Hermel, where it is called the Minjaira. Traditionally, it was made solely from cane, but more recently, musicians have begun using metal pipes due to their lighter weight and ease of drilling.
The Ney
A wind musical instrument made of wild cane/reed, and historically appeared in Egypt, Iraq, and the Levant. The exact period or the first civilization in which it appeared is not precisely known. This instrument is made of one reed pipe, and it is distinguished by the length of the pipe, which contains nine knuckles, six finger holes and a seventh on the back. The Ney is unique in that it is one of the very few folk instruments that entered classical Arabic music and became an essential part of the oriental Takht instruments.