How Rai Survives in the Modern World
As mentioned in previous posts, rai music is still alive in Algerian and North Africa, but it is separated from the public sphere. Rai used to be widespread in France as shown by the first rai festival they held in 1986. However, as this genre of music disregards society’s accepted morals and well as religious vigor, it has become a more discreet form of entertainment in Algeria. This is indicative of how the different ethnic communities are secluding themselves.
To find rai music now, one must enter ‘shisha cafes’, more commonly known as hookah cafes. Theoretically, they don’t sell alcohol, but some do as they resist the more traditional Islamic groups gaining power in the region. Shisha cafes themselves vary in size depending on their location. However, even as the presence of rai may be decreasing in Algeria or at least becoming less socially accepted, rai is an important genre of music in many other countries as well. For example, Morocco and especially France have shisha cafes as well where rai can be heard. But, even in these, the cultural divide is clear. Most of the individuals in these cafes are North African and the singers are famous Algerian and Moroccan rai artists such as Cheba Zahouania (mentioned in the previous post). As such, the influence of rai has become diminished, but it hasn't died yet.
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| Rai Artist in a Shisha Cafe |
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It's interesting how political activism and rebellion can also tie into rebellious acts of a more moral slant. The pairing of raï music with the consumption of alcohol, something prohibited in Muslim society, is very reminiscent of the growth of mirskaawi music in Libya during the late 1960's and early 70's. During this time, mirskaawi became incredibly popular among disaffected youth because it spoke out against the powers-that-be. It was performed at private parties and events, often also involving alcohol and hashish, as yet another way to rebel against fundamentalist Islamic teachings. In Libya, however (and especially with the rise of Muammar Qaddafi), there was eventually a counter-movement in which more conservative Muslims denounced the "moral depravity" of these youths. It begs the question: is this sort of backlash imminent in Algeria's future?
ReplyDeleteIt is such a shame that such an influential genre of music has been so limited and ostracized from public life today. While rai music has not died out completely, it certainly does not seem to be gaining more notoriety anytime soon. The Algerian government has such a different outlook on popular culture than the Qatari government, where Sheikha Al-Mayassa (the sister of the current emir) is an active and prominent supporter of the arts. I find it ironic that rai still exists as rebel music, because I can imagine Algerians becoming tired of the strict government currently in place and using rai music to rebel against an unsatisfactory government once again.
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