Photo : DR
Nuptial Chants and Wedding Laments
Step beyond the confetti and discover the raw power of wedding traditions across the Arab world. Through the lens of ancestral songs once led by women, this talk reveals the complex emotional layers hidden within marriage rituals from Yemen to the Rif mountains. It is a rare deep dive for anyone curious about how music shapes cultural history.
L'Institut du Monde Arabe (Paris 5th)
About
On Friday, November 6, 2026, the Institut du Monde Arabe hosts a session dedicated to the emotional landscapes of wedding music within the Arab world. Held in conjunction with the exhibition Vive la mariée !, this event explores the traditional songs and laments spanning from Yemen to the Rif region. These repertoires, historically passed down by women, capture complex themes of celebration and symbolic mourning. Attendance is free, though advance booking is required. This session takes place in the Haut Conseil room on the 9th floor and is accessible to wheelchair users. Please note that this event is strictly for those aged 18 and over.
In echo of the exhibition Vive la mariée! (Long Live the Bride!), the Institut du monde arabe is organizing a series of round tables on the social, cultural, and contemporary issues surrounding marriage in the Arab world.
In wedding ceremonies, songs give voice to multiple emotions, between celebration, nostalgia, and symbolic mourning.
From Yemen to the Rif, these repertoires, long transmitted mainly by women, are evolving today through contact with new musical practices.
With:
Jean Lambert, anthropologist and ethnomusicologist, specialist in the music of Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula, as well as the history of Arab music.
Vanessa Paloma Elbaz, research associate at the Faculty of Music at the University of Cambridge and specialist in Judeo-Moroccan music.
Our take on this event
Explore the intersection of social issues and musical heritage on November 6, 2026, from 19:00 to 20:00. This talk delves into the evolving nature of wedding songs, examining how traditional vocal practices are adapting to modern musical contexts while maintaining their deep cultural significance as expressions of both joy and nostalgia.
The panel features two distinguished speakers: Jean Lambert, an anthropologist and ethnomusicologist specializing in the music of Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula, and Vanessa Paloma Elbaz, a research associate at the University of Cambridge focused on Judeo-Moroccan musical traditions. Their expertise provides a unique perspective on the role of women as the primary guardians of these vital artistic repertoires.
The venue, the Institut du Monde Arabe in the 5th arrondissement, offers full wheelchair accessibility. The presentation will be held in the Haut Conseil room on the 9th floor. While the event is free of charge, space is limited, so booking in advance is essential. This academic and cultural discussion is designed for an adult audience aged 18 and older.
21°C
Weather forecast
Nuageux
