When Melodies Gather: Oral Art of the Mahra

Dāndān and samʿīn (Occasional)

You’ve opted to compose a socially resonant poem that is yet unconstrained by the rules and political expectations of the tribal ode. As such, your poem may be linked to a sung performance (which is generally not the public domain of the political and religious elite) and be composed of less challenging, two-part (hemistich) lines. Less formal than poems composed of three-part (tristich) lines, you’ll enjoy greater topical and performative scope. The next question is about the role of melody in your poetic career:   


Do you have a musical ear and/or a decent singing voice?

 
You may sing this poem or not; it’ll be fine either way.
Yes; and the melody in mind preceded the words.

This page has paths:

Contents of this path: