First: Ana Masry (I’m Egyptian) Band
Egypt’s unity, diversity, tolerance and love…are the concepts reveled by Ana Masry (I’m Egyptian) band. The band is named after one of its best songs regarding the above mentioned topics (Please scroll down for the song titled “Ana Masry” and some interesting facts about the Egyptian culture provided in the comments below).
The band was initiated by Ehaab Abdou. He’s an Egyptian civil-society activist who established and headed more than one developmental NGO. He loved to sing and wished that the world hears his voice, believing that the songs he sang, wrote, and composed the music for, can contribute to the development of Egypt.
Invitation:
The band is performing in collaboration with the Performing & Visual Arts Department of the American University in Cairo (AUC) at the historical and prestigious Ewart Hall of AUC on Wednesday October 21st, 2009, at 8pm…
The band will perform unique and original songs of Ana Masry, Sufi chanting, Christian hymns, Nubian singing and more songs from all over Egypt. Ana Masry will be joined by the Alwan W Awtar NGO kids’ choir…
Entrance is open to ANYONE and completely FREE of charge!
Place: Ewart Hall, American University in Cairo, Sheikh Rehan Street, Tahrir Square.
For further contact:
Cell phone: 0125337990 or 0120500763
E-mail : info@ana-masry.org
Ana Masry Band on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38332792364&ref=share
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Second: The First Album
This concert coincides with the launching of Ehaab Abdou’s first album “Gowwaya Hagat” i.e. (Things inside of Me). The album includes two songs from Ana Masry band, namely “Ana Masry” and “Ya Masr Yalla Efrahy” in addition to 10 other songs written for/by Ehaab.
For more details on the album, concerts of launching the album, lyrics (Arabic and English), downloadable versions of his songs, and latest news, please visit: www.ehaab.net
For the event on Facebook, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=140480138862&ref=ts
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Third: The Song: I am Egyptian (Ana Masry)
Music and lyrics: Ehaab Abdou
Translation and comments*: Samaa Hosny
I am Egyptian
I am Egyptian
Muslim or Christian
I am Egyptian
Whether from Lower or Upper Egypt
I am Egyptian
Nubian or Siwan
I am Egyptian
From Sinai or Arish
I am Egyptian
Being rich or poor
I am Egyptian
At shrines, I light candles*
I am Egyptian
For the newly born, a *Sobou’ is held
I am Egyptian
Spring is brought by *Sham El Nessim
I am Egyptian
The “*Arbe’een” is held after my death
I am Egyptian
When wars and armies attacked my country, injured and killed civilians
The bombs did not discriminate between Egyptians
When the Nile dried up one day
and stopped giving…
At these times, I made a vow
And when blessings and prosperity were back
I lit two candles
One at *Mar Girgis
And the other at Sidna *El Hussein
It’s because I am Egyptian
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Comments:
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* Buying and lighting candles in religious places (mosques, churches, and Pharaohic temples) is an old Egyptian folklore that people in trouble do and a symbolic gift and donnation. This tradition is practiced in Egypt by Muslims and Christians alike. Moreover, sometimes Christians light candles in mosques and Muslims light candles in churches as gifts to the religious figures and symbols. This old tradition shows how Egyptians long ago never discriminated against religions and felt that religion (whatsoever) is a means of getting closer to God. It shows the deep feeling of the strong bonds between religions and mutual respect to the figures and worship places of one another.
* Sobou’: A celebration that is held for all newly born babies on their seventh day, where all relatives and friends are invited by the parents to celebrate the newly born. This is a pure Egyptian celebration which is carried out by both Muslims and Christians with no discrimination. On that day, the same rituals are carried out in all Egyptian homes regardless of their religion.
* Sham El Nessim: A Pharaohic ceremony that is held at the beginning of the spring season. All Egyptians celebrate it until now going to the same places, eating the same food, and doing the same activities. It is similar to Easter in other countries where we eat colored eggs in addition to other types of food.
* Arbe’een: It is the Arabic word for “forty”. It is a Pharaohic ceremony held on the fortieth day of somebody’s death where certain rituals are carried out. This was inherited by Christians then Muslims.
* Mar Girgis: A Christian Saint. A very famous church still holds his name in Cairo.
* El-Hussein: One of the grandsons of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him). A very famous mosque holds his name in Old Cairo.
* These are the common things Egyptians have always shared. Praying that the Egyptian people remains tolerant and loving forever. Amin…………
