Nov. 2, Manama (BNA): Bahrain’s Qalali Folk Band has been chosen as a finalist for the 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards, according to the Aga Khan Music Programme. The band leads a list of 22 nominations from 16 countries, representing outstanding musicians and artists throughout the globe.
Qalali Folk Band leads nominees for 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards
The band’s extensive history spanning more than a century is honored by this nomination, which is devoted to conserving Bahrain’s genuine marine musical traditions associated with pearl-diving songs, Naham chanting, and divers’ rhythms. The Qalali Folk Band is now a vital component of Bahrain’s musical legacy and a shining example of preserving national history.
On November 22, 2025, London’s Southbank Centre will host the Aga Khan Music Awards event. On November 3, 2025, the final winners will be revealed.
This honorable nomination is a national accomplishment that reflects pride in Bahrain’s folk history and its contribution to bolstering national identity as a living legacy passed down through the generations, maintaining customs that reflect Bahrain’s true civilization.
Founded more than a century ago, Qalali Folk Band is among Bahrain’s oldest traditional musical ensembles. Al Nahma, which is sung at sea during pearl-diving expeditions, and Al Fjiri, which is played on land after the divers return, are two of the band’s well-known Bahraini folk arts. The creative authenticity of the residents of Qalali hamlet in Muharraq is expressed through the combination of distinctive rhythms and dances.
The Qalali Folk Band has made a name for itself both domestically and abroad as a living testament to Bahrain’s artistic and cultural identity and as a symbol of creativity focused on maintaining Bahraini musical originality thanks to its unwavering dedication to conserving and revitalizing this cultural legacy.
Under the patronage of the late His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and His Highness Prince Amyn Aga Khan, the Aga Khan Music Awards were established in 2018 to recognize exceptional musical accomplishments in Islamic cultures. The prizes are given out every three years as part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) framework, which promotes the revitalization and sustainability of musical traditions, fortifies ties between innovation and legacy, and uses music to promote intercultural understanding and intercultural harmony.
