Irbid
Al Taybah village
Al-Taybah is a picturesque village located in the Irbid Governorate of Jordan. Situated 18 km west of Irbid and 80 km from Amman, it offers breath-taking views at an elevation of 385 m above sea level. As of 2022, Al-Taybah has a population of 60,970. The village thrives on a diverse economic landscape, encompassing farming, commerce, and industrial activities. This harmonious blend of tradition and natural beauty makes Al-Taybah a truly unique destination. Religious holidays, including Eid Al-Adha, Eid Al-Fitr, Isra’ and Mi’raj, and Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi, are celebrated with distributing sweets, and communal visits.
Weddings in Al-Taybah are usually accompanied by traditional music featuring instruments such as the Mejwiz, Shabbabeh, Oud, Tabla, and Mihbaj. This music not only adds to the festive atmosphere but also reflects the cultural heritage of the region. Weddings are not just events for the bride and groom but are occasions that bring the entire community together. In the cultural enclave of Al-Taybah, Jordan, the music tradition is led by the Hajini, a lyrical and musical form that is well-known in Jordan and some other regions in the Levant and Mesopotamia.
While music may not be the primary source of income for many, it is a cherished art form that has been passed down through generations. Instruments are often sourced from the major cities, but the crafting of the Mihbaj remains a local art, highlighting the community’s dedication to their heritage. Despite the challenges posed by the scarcity of raw materials, there is an unwavering desire among the people to learn and perpetuate this cherished craft.
Instruments
The Mihbaj/Mihbash
A wooden mortar made from the trunks of forest trees such as terebinth, oak, beech, carob, etc. The Mihbaj or Mihbash (as it is referred to in the Plain of Hauran) is used primarily for grinding grains and coffee, but over time it has become used as a percussion instrument that accompanies singers and musicians at weddings and different occasions, particularly in the Jordanian and Palestinian Bedouin deserts (Badiah). For example, “Al-Hjeini” is a popular musical form that is often accompanied by the distinctive beat of the Mihbaj. In the process of making the Mihbaj, two thirds of the trunk is hollowed out, and this bore ends in a narrower opening at the top, which is later covered with silver or copper. After the internal hollowing, the wood is then decorated on the outside, with four external bores created to reduce its weight. The Mihbaj has a stick or pestle which is typically made from lighter and softer wood compared to the wood that the mortar is made from.
The Arghoul/Yarghoul
A folk musical instrument from the woodwind family of instruments. It was historically known in Egypt and the Levant, specifically in the plain of Hauran and Palestine, where it is considered one of the most widely used musical instruments in social events and gatherings until now. The Arghoul/Yarghoul is made of reed or cane wood, and consists of two pipes joined together, one longer than the other. The short pipe has six fingering holes, each hole representing a specific note, while the long pipe produces a single note that accompanies the melody, and this is what distinguishes the Arghoul and gives it a unique sonic identity.
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.