아프리카ㆍ중동

The music of one country represent the life and culture of the people. And the domain of popular and folk music often provides insight into the psychological and social, cultural traits of a nation's character. It means that one can often illustrate the spirit and beliefs of the people by studyng the types of songs, the styles, music related social occasions and musical traditions. The general characteristics of popular forms of art can be found in the texts of Egyptian songs. Egyptian popular and folk songs exhibiting such traits existed in the Islamic culture and was sung and played by the people. The functions of popular and folk music may be divided into two main divisions. The first division usually refers to music attached to social occasions, which covers such celebrations whether of rejoicing or wedding. The second division comprises songs of labor and covers a wide field in the everyday life of the Egyptian society. This study is aimed to illustrate characteristics of Egyptian songs and find the Egyptian's way of thinking through the texts of songs by classifing motifs of Egyptian songs focused on religion, and social life and sex. The Egyptian songs express happiness and sorrows and religious beliefs of the people. We can devide several categories of Egyptian songs. They are religious song, pilgrim songs, lamentation, songs of joy, love-songs and songs of celebration. All moments of joy were naturally and appropriately celebrated with music and song. The song and music were used in emotional occasions such as weddings, births, feasts, the pains of the departure.