The first song I have decided to talk about is Zari by Marina Satti of Greece! The title of the Zari is the greek word for dice. The whole song is about letting go your hardships and letting them roll of you like dice. The chorus of the song describes this perfectly. The whole song is a mix of modern themes and lyrics with traditional instrument strung throughout the song. I personally love this song, it's been on my playlist since it first came out eight months ago. I really should check out Marina Satti's music because I'm absolutely obsessed with Zari! (Europe, modern).
original chorus/translation:
(Ta ta ta….) Ki áse na mas férei ó,ti thélei metá (Ta ta ta….) Na mas férei ó,ti thélei (Ta ta ta….) Ki as eínai na mas férei ó,ti thélei metá (Ta ta ta….) Na mas férei ó,ti thélei
(Ta ta ta…) And let whatever happens happen (Ta ta ta…) And let whatever happens happen (Ta ta ta…) And let whatever happens happen (Ta ta ta…) Let whatever happens happen
The second song I decided to talk about is Jako by Ladaniva from Armenia! This song is about embracing your inner Jako, letting yourself be truly and authentically yourself. Jako is the childhood nickname of the singer Jaklin Baghdasaryan, who had been told her whole life that she didn't act like a girl. This song is about breaking the mold and is overall just so fun to listen to. This song is right after Zari on my playlist actually. I love how this song also mixes modern lyricism with more traditional instrumentals. (Asia, modern).
The third song I decided to talk about is Mestra Terezinha a traditional Brazilian song. I'm not really sure what it is about, but I absolutely adore the sound and the overall vibes of the song. I love the drums and the shakers and the vocals! They all blend together so well and I will definitely be looking into more traditional Brazilian music in the future. (South America, Traditional)
The fourth song I decided to talk about is KPENDEH a Liberian folk song of the Gola people. I also picked this song out of vibes and because I liked the drum beat a lot. There's something ceremonial about it that I love so much. I really like African music in general and this is no exception. It just feels like something you would dance to and I like that. (Africa, Traditional)
The ritual I have chosen to write about is my Bat Mitzvah! Yes I am a Jew and proud to be one. Now I don't know how many people reading this even know what a Bat Mitzvah is, so I thought I would give a quick expiation. A Bat (for a girl) or Bar (for a boy) Mitzvah is a coming to age event where a young Jew basically says that they fully embrace Judaism as a whole. It's kind of similar to a quinceanera except not just for girls and it happens when we turn thirteen instead of fifteen. The most important piece played is the Hava Nagila and is accompanied by the Horah which is a traditional dance done at celebrations. Both the Horah and Hava Nagila are performed as an expression of joy and celebration during Bat Mitzvahs and weddings. Hava Nagila literally translates to Let Us Rejoice. During the Horah people form a circle and dance around either the bride and groom or in my case me to celebrate my coming of age. Then they throw you up in the air while you are sitting in a chair. It was actually terrifying. I thought I was going to die when they did it to me. People cheer, celebrate and sing along with the song. For Bat Mitzvahs multiple people can be thrown up in the chair. For mine it was my siblings, my mom, my grandma and me. Another song is called Simon Tov u'mazal Tov which is a short and sweet song to give everyone some mazal tov or good luck. The other ceremony that uses music is the candle lighting ceremony. There are thirteen candles and different groups or people that are important to me come up and light them. Each person or group of people has a special song that is played for each of them. They pick the songs that they want be played as they light the candle. I don't really remember the songs that got played for my candle lighting ceremony, but I remember everyone enjoyed figuring out what songs the other people picked. My Bat Mitzvah was definitely something and I did really enjoy it. However I wouldn't do it again. I don't like all the attention being on me and everyone kept hugging me. Though if you ever get invited to a Bat Mitzvah, you should defiantly go!
Simon Tov u'mazal Tov
This is an example from a wedding and all I'll say is us Jew get lit
My family and I in the Synagogue
Me and my dad (Love you dad!)
Me and my mom (Love you mom!)
Me being studious and spiritual while my parents look at me with pride
Wide shot of the Synagogue
My Rabbi and me struggling to hold the Torah (It was really heavy)
My Bat Mitzvah venue, it was Greek Mythology themed (I'm a nerd)
My parents and I at the candle lighting ceremony
Them lifting me during the Horah (I was terrified)
My brother looking terrified (He's so cute! Don't tell him I said that)
