Chalghi at the Jewish Museum
The hall at the Jewish Centre was full to overflowing, while latecomers formed an ever hopeful queue; it was yet another concert with Iraqi overtones. A mixture of races made up the enthusiastic crowd who had taken on board the fact that the songs were ancient, that the culture bygone. Never mind it is worth resurrecting; it is very enjoyable, and there are a great many of us still who want to keep it alive.Sara Menasseh and her lively band have been reincarting so many ethnic tunes. Most of her repertoire we can remember from very young days. The Shebahot were fascinating, but we preferred to hack into the popular Arabic songs …and then what noise, what ambience!!
I must confess when I did not understand the words, I sort of switched off. It is much more gratifying to identify the text.
Surprisingly the Community seems to have made a full circle and come back to the songs of yore. You buy tapes on the Edgware Road of Iraqi, Egyptian and Lebanese older songs... People are bringing special Chalghis to mark an evening…these are either professional - or home grown talent like Ayyam Zaman who are a treasure trove of tunes. They somehow put a smile on everyone’s faces, and people muck in- it is a surefire entertainment formulae. I have often wondered why we thrive on it, rather than pop, classical or opera! Clearly there is much more emotion in the voice of a singer when it is fluttering on its own, naked, that the rhymes take on overtones of sympathy, affection and more.
Simplicity and contentment may be the essence of these songs, but there is also a mystical element of trust in God and blind faith towards the traditions that the community was raised on.
Let’s borrow from Sara’s repertoire about the Prophet Heskail, who lies in state in Hillah near Baghdad
Yall Nabee Yall Nabee, Ehfeth li Gheyabee (rep)
uw Nesh’el shmee’ al Assal
Wenzoura lel Nabee
In your mind’s eye you can see a column of generations of Iraqi Jews approaching the tomb of the prophet, with love, with veneration ; they bring cloths to embellish his shrine and honey candles to celebrate his friendship, because he helps them every day: he may have just cured a loved one, made the children pass difficult school exams, or found a good husband for a cherised daughter… and they are grateful…can you imagine them lighting those scented candles with the happiness that comes from repaying a debt The visit is a big Mitzvah to all and is a task well accomplished. But then whoever knew or asked who Nabee Haskail or Nabee Eliahou really were, and why they deserved such loyalty? Did they write books, did they perform miracles? We all know how in those days the parents’ words were as law, and nobody dared question their beliefs. The older generation were always right, even when they could not supply evidence or the trace of an answer!
Let’s plug into another tune and share bitter sweet tastes of romance a la Iraqis:
Kulle leblam tfout Hassan, eini ela balmak, wallah Hassan…
Wem-nel hawa wel ghoj Hassan, Rabbi Yesselmak
In your mind’s eye: a voluptuous Tigris with a glorious sunset reflected in it, and many little wooden boats rocking to gentle waves. A smartly dressed man being rowed by a sinewy peasant after a long day at the office he is looking forward to have a sumptuous supper with his wife / fiancee (girlfriends had not been invented yet) amid the cheerfulness of an extended family. The oars dipping rythmically, quietly, up and down…. And this woman watching from the terrace overlooking the river, waiting to greet her man and praying for his safety – no mobiles then….how romantic an image, pure nostalgia, pure magic.
I could go on forever analysing the essence of those simple yet powerful songs, but maybe it is better to leave this avenue open as a suggestion to my friends, the ones who will celebrate them too!
Ivy
March 2003
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