Young Tunisian musician seeks to revive Berber music

2009-04-21

Berber music, with its unique heritage and rhythms, is finding a growing audience in the Maghreb and abroad. Sabri Aouni is one of a small number of musicians who have chosen this style as their specialty.

By Mona Yahia for Magharebia in Tunis – 21/04/09

[Getty Images] Aouni encourages young Tunisians to take a new interest in local musical traditions.

Sabri Aouni is a young Tunisian musician who departed from the mainstream and dug into Berber music of Maghreb origins. Aouni, whose popularity has grown since performing "Berberiyat" in Tunisia and Libya, speaks to Magharebia about his art.

Magharebia: Why did you choose Berber music in particular?

Sabri Aouni: My interest in rhythm and its particularities drove me to dig deep and look into our musical heritage. I discovered that the first instruments used by the early residents, including North Africans, were rhythmic instruments.

Magharebia: What did you discover about the music?

Aouni: I found that it is rich and rarely used. Unlike common or Andalusian music that is widespread in the Arab Maghreb states and is limited to certain Maqams, Berber music is open-ended and developed.

Magharebia: You say it is developed, and yet rarely used. What do you think the reason is?

Aouni: The main reason is that previous generations of musicians in Tunisia drove younger generations to take interest in Arab and oriental music, making it their prime focus. Local heritage, on the other hand, has been almost neglected.

Magharebia: What is the way to revive this art form?

Aouni: This music can be revived by preserving it on one hand, and developing it and infusing foreign music into it on the other, so it might interest more people.

Magharebia: Do you think the authorities in Tunisia are interested in developing and preserving this kind of music?

Aouni: Nearly four years ago, Berber music started to get attention, especially when the ministry of culture became interested in preserving our heritage. However, support given to concerts is still very small.

Magharebia: Is the Tunisian audience interested in Berber music?

Aouni: At the beginning, I performed solos, which were very popular. I felt the audience was hungry for rhythm. I then added a few players, and the band is now composed of 20 players. I also introduced new instruments such as Nay and Jemberi.

Magharebia: What are your future plans?

Aouni: I want to travel to France, because I feel I am going to make it there.

Magharebia: Why wouldn't you "make it" in Tunisia?

Aouni: In Tunisia, there are preconceptions that we cannot escape. Tunisians believe that rhythmic instruments are only fit for simple folk shows.

Magharebia: Have you reached out to other Maghreb musicians to arrange joint concerts?

Aouni: I did think about joining hands with Maghreb musicians. However, I never attempted to contact any of them. At the same time, I wish I could perform for Chinese players, because they have long-standing traditions of rhythm, and it would be wonderful to have a joint concert between a North African artist and another from Asia.

Magharebia: What is your message to your generation of musicians?

Aouni: I believe that an artist should search for his or her identity before anything else. Tunisian artists these days sing all genres of music and have no idea about their correct orientation. I urge them to look for their identity because that is their launching point toward success.