Music of Palestine

The music of Palestine (Arabic: الموسيقى الفلسطينية‎‎) is one of many regional subgenres of Arabic music. While it shares much in common with Arabic music, both structurally and instrumentally, there are musical forms and subject matter that are distinctively Palestinian.

In the areas now controlled by both Israel and the Palestinian National Authority, multiple ethnic groups and religions have long held on to a diversity of cultures. Palestinians (including Druze and Bedouin) constituted the largest group, followed by Jews (including Sephardim and Ashkenazim), Egyptians, Cypriots, Samaritans, Circassians Armenians, Dom, and others. Wasif Jawhariyyeh was one oud player, famous for his post 1904-diary.

Early in the 20th century, Palestinians lived in rural areas, either as farmers or as nomads. The fellahin (farmers) sang a variety of work songs, used for tasks like fishing, shepherding, harvesting and making olive oil. Traveling storytellers and musicians called zajaleen were also common, known for their epic tales. Weddings were also home to distinctive music, especially the dabke, a complex dance performed by linked groups of dancers. Popular songs made use of widely varying forms, particularly the mejana and dal'ona.

...
Wikipedia