Akkar
Ruhhal Community – Kawachra
Situated between Halba and Qobayat in Akkar, this Roma community is well-known for its traditions, especially when it comes to music and dance. A community consisting of approximately 120 to 150 residents, along with approximately 350 family members who live outside the community (most of them live in Syria), maintains a near perfect equilibrium between male and female inhabitants. Notably, the profession spectra within this society underscores a significant interest in artistry. Male members are proficient at using traditional musical instruments such as Tabel, Buzuq, and Mizmar, whereas women sustain their contributions through agricultural activities and attending household affairs.
In this Roma community, folk music is not just an art but a way of life, providing income for many and representing deep-rooted family traditions. Some families exemplify this heritage, with their notable artistic skills involving both genders, reflecting the community’ inclusive stance towards women in the arts. Songs often reference the area’s agricultural past, manifesting the enduring link to the land.
Locals prefer instruments like the Tabel, Mizmar, Buzuq, and Minjara, often sourced from Syria, indicating a shared musical heritage. Instrument repair, particularly Tabel maintenance, offers further economic opportunities. Folk music in Akkar stands as the cultural thread woven through the community, celebrating, and sustaining their rich traditions and connections.
Instruments
The Tabel
This instrument is considered one of the oldest documented percussion musical instruments and is said to be more than five thousand years old and has appeared in various forms in several civilizations. This form of drum is known in Western Asia and is very popular among the Kurds and Roma, as well as in the Balkans. For making the Tabel, a wide, round frame made of cedar, pine, or walnut wood is used. Two pieces of cow, sheep, or camel skin are stretched over the wooden frame on both sides, with the stretching done using a thin rope. To beat the Tabel, there is a wide stick for the front side and a thin stick for the back side. The Tabel is used in different events and celebrations, and it was historically used in wars to motivate warriors.
The Mizmar
A woodwind instrument found in many civilizations, particularly in Western Asia and North Africa. Known as the Mizmar or Zurna in Kurdish, it belongs to the family of traditional wind instruments, and it is distinguished by its loud and powerful sound. This instrument has three main parts: the body, which is the longest part and is made from apricot or walnut wood. It is cylindrical in shape, widening at the bottom, and features seven holes for producing notes as well as additional holes at the bottom to amplify the sound. The second part is the double reed, made from cane and tied together with a thin thread. The reeds are short and sharp, and it is the part where the player blows into, being primarily responsible for producing the sound. The third part is the connector between the reeds and the body of the Mizmar. It is cylindrical piece, made of wood or metal, which is narrower than the body of the Mizmar. The reeds are inserted into the top of this connector, which in turn fits into the body of the Mizmar and contains holes for sound production.
The Buzuq
It is an instrument from the family of long-necked string instruments. It is popular in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, and is particularly well-known among Roma and nomadic communities. It consists of a sound box, which is often made from walnut or mulberry wood, and a surface made from spruce wood. It has a long stem/neck made from beech wood. The neck/stem is fitted with black frets called “Dasateen” (the Persian word for frets), which are used to mark the positions of the notes. The Buzuq is fitted with six or four strings, which are tied at the end of the neck using metal pegs.