Veteran researcher traces Qatar’s place memory through folk songs

The Cultural Council of the Majlis of Seniors, a division of the Ehsan Centre for Empowerment and Elderly Care, will host a lecture on Sunday by renowned Qatari researcher Saleh Gharib al-Obaidli. The event, titled 'Place Memory in Folk Songs', is part of the council's cultural program designed to promote intellectual and cultural engagement among the elderly while fostering dialogue about Qatar's folk heritage and collective memory.

Al-Obaidli's lecture will delve into the intricate connections between traditional songs and the geographical locations they originated from, demonstrating that these songs are more than mere entertainment or artistic expression. They function as an oral archive, preserving details of daily life and chronicling the social and geographical environments of communities.

Drawing upon his vast research into Qatari heritage, al-Obaidli will showcase examples of folk songs tied to specific locations, such as cities, neighborhoods, the sea, markets, traditional occupations, and social customs. He will examine how lyrics and melodies have helped retain visual and nomenclatural images of places in popular memory and transmitted them across generations.

Additionally, the lecture will discuss how some of these places have evolved over time, yet their original images have been preserved in the collective consciousness through songs and oral traditions. This dual role of folk music extends its significance beyond artistic value, encompassing important historical, social, and cultural dimensions.

Al-Obaidli is a distinguished figure in Qatar's cultural journalism and heritage research, boasting a career spanning several decades. His journey began with the Qatari Theatre Troupe in Al Najma, where he participated in theatrical activities during the summer months. He then worked for various newspapers before joining 'Al Raya' upon its establishment in 1979, following the publication of a culturally significant article on theatre.

At 'Al Raya', he emerged as a prominent cultural journalist, heading the culture and arts page before broadening his scope to include social investigations and field reporting across the nation. In 2003, al-Obaidli joined 'Al Sharq', initially as an arts editor and later becoming head of both the cultural and local affairs sections until 2020.

However, his most significant contribution lies in documenting Qatar's intangible heritage. As a heritage researcher, he has penned extensively on traditional architecture, pottery, folk tales, crafts, and traditional industries. His notable works include 'Henna: The Adornment of Gulf Women', published in 1989, alongside numerous studies and articles on social customs, theatre, and popular heritage.

Al-Obaidli has also collaborated with the Popular Heritage Centre of the Gulf Cooperation Council since 1982, further solidifying his commitment to documenting and preserving the region's cultural heritage. The lecture underscores the council's ongoing dedication to leveraging the expertise of researchers and heritage specialists while offering older generations a platform to share their knowledge, memories, and experiences.