The Lebanese composer Zaki Nasif significantly contributed to transforming folk heritage into a solid national musical identity through his production of over 1100 musical pieces that reflect the relationship of the Lebanese people with their land and history. Born during a time of famine and war, Nasif was able to write some of the most beautiful songs of joy and embody the spirit of Lebanon in his music.
Zaki Shakir Nasif was born on July 3, 1916, in the town of Machghara in the Bekaa Valley, into a family of six children, of which he was the youngest. He grew up amidst the famine and the horrors of World War I under Ottoman rule, which greatly influenced the formation of his artistic personality.
Details of His Musical Journey
The roots of Zaki Nasif's musical talent can be traced back to his mother, who sang the sad tunes of the "Shrouqi" songs, along with the records his father brought from Sham. Nasif began learning to play the oud and majz by himself before joining the American University of Beirut music institute in 1936, where he studied under Russian teachers and mastered the piano and cello, helping him to understand musical arrangement deeply.
His musical personality was shaped by his movements between Machghara and Beirut, where the moonlit fields and folk dances seeped into his soul and later transformed into melodies. In 1953, Nasif met Palestinian director Sabri Sharif at the Near East Radio, where he found in the project of collecting Shami folklore an opportunity to pose a fundamental question: why shouldn’t inherited music be the primary material for musical composition in Lebanon?
The answer to this question manifested in 1955, when the "League of Five" was established, which included Zaki Nasif, Aasi and Manosur Rahbani, Tawfiq Al-Basha, and Tawfiq Sukkar, announcing the launch of a new phase for Lebanese song. The Baalbek Festival in 1957 provided an opportunity to transfer the scene of Machghara to the stage through the "Village Wedding", where he created the dabka "Ya La La Aini" inspired by the rhythm of grape harvesting to make dibs.
Background & Context
Nasif contributed to the development of the dabka through his intellectual contributions, clarifying that "Dalaouna" is not just an emotional expression but is derived from the Syriac root "Del Auna" meaning "let's go to help", thus developing it into a six-step dabka. He drew from Syriac and Byzantine melodies and the recitation of the Quran, maintaining the inherent musical identity while renewing it from within.
Nasif worked on employing Western music to serve the Eastern spirit, avoiding the use of the piano whenever he found a "quarter tone" in the melody, preserving the purity of the maqam. This balance between authenticity and modernity earned him the title of "Father of Folklore", a title he rightfully deserved.
Impact & Consequences
Zaki Nasif collaborated with major Lebanese voices such as Sabah, Wadi Al-Safi, and Samira Tawfiq, and produced a record for Fairuz containing nine songs that bore his name. The song "Raajee Yit‘ammar Lebanon" that he wrote and composed under bombardment during the war was the closest to his heart, as it brought him to tears every time he heard it, for it was essentially a message of defiance and faith despite the destruction.
Zaki Nasif passed away on March 11, 2004, at the age of 88, leaving behind a vast archive preserved and published by the American University of Beirut. His home in Machghara has also turned into a cultural museum that welcomes visitors, remaining a symbol of Lebanese musical heritage.
Regional Significance
The experience of Zaki Nasif embodies the importance of preserving cultural and musical heritage in the Arab world, as his works reflect how art can be a means of expressing identity and belonging. Amid the challenges faced by many Arab countries, Nasif's music remains a model to emulate in the quest to preserve and develop heritage.
In conclusion, the music of Zaki Nasif lives on in the hearts of the Lebanese, representing a symbol of joy and hope in times of war and destruction. It also highlights the importance of folklore in shaping national identity, making his experience a source of inspiration for future generations.