In the Beja culture, Poetry and Music have a tradition of many centuries.
Poetry sung to the music of the "Basinkoob" or "lyre" 2000 years ago was known all around the Mediterranean. Many mosaics from the time of the Romans show a "Basinkoob" played in the same way as the Beja play it today.
But presently the "Basinkoob" is only known in East Africa, and Beja is one of the few cultures which still remember the old techniques of 2000 years ago.
Poets and Singers like Mohammed Al Badri or Ahmed Saiid Abu Amna have intensely studied and now perform these old songs. They are welcomed and praised for this - and Western scholars say, Beja poetry deserves to be studied more.
Muhammad Al Badri Sample -
