8/5/2003: Burqa band

Can't possibly be true, I figured. But it is!



These shots are of three Afghan girls (the singer isn't shown) who are collectively known as the "Burqa Band". German musician Kurt Dahlke was in Kabul, running a music workshop, and along the way the female trio – a translator and two tea ladies – recorded the song and made their own video.

Back in Germany, Berlin DJ Barbara Morgenstern did a remix of the song, and now it's a club hit in that country.

This story gives more of the details. The reason Dahlke was there in the first place: "There is almost nothing left of the traditional musical culture from before the Taliban. The instruments and infrastructure was all destroyed."

To be replaced with this? The story mentions some of the lyrics: ""You give me all your love, you give me all your kisses, and then you touch my burqa, and don't know who it is... Burqa bluuueee... my mother wears blue jeans now, things are changing faster, I don't know if it's good."

One hopes it's authentic, even if instructed by Dahlke. It says so much about the mix of cultures. The ideal result here is that the west teaches them to express themselves through art, even western art -- and they, in return, show us their soul in that art, and deepen the western experience and understanding of the world.

From the link:

On the plus side...

There's no need for conspiracies, should something happen...

I wouldn't say this is a sign of change at all. It was all set up by the Germans, and no one in Afghanistan has even seen or heard any of it. If they did see the video, they'd probably be outraged. I'm sure social change probably will come for them, but it will surely take longer than a few years.

So, the infrastructure has crumbled but Kabul has a nice Fender Jazz bass for this woman to play?

I'm... skeptical.

I saw part of a TV report, a few weeks back, about traditional Afghani musicians that fled to Pakistan. Music was used to rally the rebels against the Soviet attack, but then as the Taliban grew in power, they used it to crack down on any other Afghan groups. Sufis were targeted, as music is a main part of their religious practice. Musicians targeted, instruments destroyed. There was this one guy, on fleeing to Pakistan, dismantled his lute-like instrument, that had been in his family for generations. It was discovered and destroyed, but he made it over the boarder and a sort of satelite culture exists. They are returning with caution. This one famous female singer, she apparently danced in a film, still has had attempts on her life. But the Tape/CD sellers were hopping.

Hey look! I found a link to the program
Afghan Music: Breaking the Silence on World Link.

So I guess there is no way to see if the lead singer is a total babe. Unless you marry her, then find out she is in need of a dermatologist. 8P


Well at least they wont have trashy attire in their bands. unless you maybe tie dye the robes, then they would wind up on Jerahab Spinghalb.


p.s. a friend of mine is of arabic descent and he thinks this band is funny schtuff.

Oh man, I want to see that video.

You know, I can barely play the bass wearing shorts, a tank top, and with two free hands. How the hell does this woman play it covered from head to toe, with her hands swaddled in cloth?!!

Germany will create the Fourth Reich using women dressed as ghosts. It's all falling into place now.

god have mercy!

Listen for yourself... ugh... horrible crap.

http://swen.antville.org/stories/471139/

Wow, thanks Arrow. I feel much better about my kazoo playing now.

Look at it this way.

Are they worse than Britney?

Yes! Maybe not musically, but Britney has other qualities.