Omar Souleyman (عمر سليمان) is a Syrian musical legend. Since 1994 he and h… Read Full Bio ↴Omar Souleyman (عمر سليمان) is a Syrian musical legend. Since 1994 he and his musicians emerged as a staple of folk-pop throughout Syria, but until being released by the Sublime Frequencies label they were little known outside of the country. To date, they have issued more than five-hundred studio- and live-recorded cassette albums which are easily spotted in the shops of any Syrian city.

Born in rural Northeastern Syria, he began his musical career in 1994 with a small group of local collaborators that remain with him today. The myriad musical traditions of the region are evident in their music. Here, classical Arabic mawal-style vocalization gives way to high-octane Syrian Dabke (the regional folkloric dance and party music), Iraqi Choubi and a host of Arabic, Kurdish and Turkish styles, among others. This amalgamation is truly the sound of Syria. The music often has an overdriven sound consisting of phase-shifted Arabic keyboard solos and frantic rhythms. At breakneck speeds, these shrill Syrian electronics play out like forbidden morse-code, but the moods swing from coarse and urgent to dirgy and contemplative in the rugged anthems that comprise Souleyman's repertoire. Oud, reeds, baglama saz, accompanying vocals and percussion fill out the sound from track to track. Mahmoud Harbi is a long-time collaborator and the man responsible for much of the poetry sung by Souleyman. Together, they commonly perform the Ataba, a traditional form of folk poetry used in Dabke. On stage, Harbi chain smokes cigarettes while standing shoulder to shoulder with Souleyman, periodically leaning over to whisper the material into his ear. Acting as a conduit, Souleyman struts into the audience with urgency, vocalizing the prose in song before returning for the next verse. Souleyman’s first hit in Syria was "Jani" (1996) which gained cassette-kiosk infamy and brought him recognition throughout the country. Over the years, his popularity has risen steadily and the group tirelessly performs concerts throughout Syria and has accepted invitations to perform abroad in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Lebanon. Omar Souleyman is a man of hospitality and striking integrity who describes his style as his own and prides himself on not being an imitator or a sell-out.

Mawal Jamar
Omar Souleyman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ma dafanni Ma dafanni Ma dafanni
Ma dafanni
Dafan biyal masayeb
Wu ma dafanni
Ma dafanni

Leyal elsayf kilhn
Ma dafanni

Akhoy ili mitit beedah ma dafanni ma dafanni

Leyal elsayf
Ani walla ladoos iljumr likhatir ooyoonich
Ahfir lihalli gabr gabal inyezafoonich
Wulakatir ooyonich
Sheltaka bihudni shayl
Walla walla walla

Laytul subuh ma talla ma talla
Laytul subuh ma talla
Sheltak bihudni shayl
Ya ya ya

Wudal dhalam wu layl
Habyat ana habyat
Adoos ilbaratim
Raqadh lidod
Dalahen alay
Wayl wayl wayl

Leyal elsayf
Ani walla ladoos iljumr likhatir ooyoonich
Bahfir lihalli gabr gabal inyezafoonich
Wulakatir ooyonich
Sheltaka bihudni shayl
Walla walla walla

Raqadh lidod

Dalahen alay
Wayl wayl wayl

Overall Meaning

The song Mawal Jamar by Omar Souleyman is a traditional Arabic song that speaks about the pains and struggles of life. The repeated phrase "ma dafanni" translates to "don't bury me" and is a powerful plea for the singer to be remembered and not forgotten in death. The following line "da'an biyal masayeb" which means "bury me with the burden of my sorrows" suggests that the singer wants to be remembered with all their pains and struggles.

The song also references the season of summer, and the singer sings about their desire to be remembered and appreciated during this time. This highlights the importance of memories and the legacy one leaves behind. The lyrics also reference the singer's brother who has passed away, and they are imploring their loved ones not to forget them after they have left this world.

The song Mawal Jamar is rich in cultural significance and emotion. It speaks to the universal human desire to be remembered and appreciated after death. Despite the language barrier for non-speakers of Arabic, the raw emotion in Souleyman's voice and the traditional instrumentation of the song make it a powerful and moving piece.

Line by Line Meaning

Ma dafanni Ma dafanni Ma dafanni
I am not hiding, I am not hiding, I am not hiding

Ma dafanni
I am not hiding

Dafan biyal masayeb
Buried under the weight of hardships

Wu ma dafanni
And I am not hiding

Ma dafanni
I am not hiding

Leyal elsayf kilhn
Summer nights are harsh

Ma dafanni
I am not hiding

Akhoy ili mitit beedah ma dafanni ma dafanni
My brother who died, I am not hiding, I am not hiding

Leyal elsayf
Summer nights

Ani walla ladoos iljumr likhatir ooyoonich
I swear by the nights of my life for the sake of your eyes

Ahfir lihalli gabr gabal inyezafoonich
Forgive me for the sake of the graves that surround me