Nov. 23, London (BNA): In partnership with the EFG London Jazz Festival, Qalali Folk Band received the 2025 Aga Khan Music Award at a formal event at London’s Southbank Centre. His Highness Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan and a renowned group of foreign artists and cultural leaders attended the occasion.
Qalali Folk Band receives 2025 Aga Khan Music Award
The Qalali Folk Band’s significant contribution to conserving and presenting Bahrain’s maritime musical legacy in a modern style that embodies the Kingdom’s rich cultural identity is recognized internationally with this esteemed award. The prize was given to the band in recognition of its decades-long journey and unceasing efforts to preserve the traditional arts of Fjiri and Nahma, showcasing them in a way that engages audiences throughout the world. The band’s unique style and lasting legacy are rooted in the creativity of Bahrain’s early maritime singers, especially the well-known naham Salem Al Allan.
The Qalali Folk Band performed a mesmerizing rendition of Bahri, one of the main forms of Fjiri, during the ceremony. This performance embodied the spirit of the naham aboard the ship, the voice that once uplifted sailors’ souls and enabled them to withstand the trials of the sea.
In order to fully capture the essence of Bahrain’s nautical heritage, the performance also included parts of Fjiri accompanied by traditional drums and instruments, rhythmic clapping, and folk dance. International ensembles from the Middle East, the Eastern Mediterranean, and West Africa performed music at the event.
The president of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, confirmed that this accomplishment is a well-earned international honor that highlights the importance of domestic efforts to save Bahrain’s musical legacy. He pointed out that the award increases Bahrain’s visibility on the world cultural map and draws attention to the distinctive qualities of its folk customs in esteemed international forums.
The head of the Qalali Folk Band, Saad Bu Jaffal, expressed delight in winning the award and explained that it was the outcome of the group’s steadfast dedication to conserving Bahrain’s maritime legacy and transferring it to upcoming generations.
This accomplishment supports Bahrain’s standing as a shining example of Gulf musical history and is consistent with UNESCO’s inclusion of Fjiri on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural history of Humanity.
With a more than 100-year history, the Qalali Folk Band is a national icon and a constantly expanding force on the international scene, continuing to uphold its purpose of conserving Bahrain’s seafaring folk traditions and delivering performances that symbolize the nation’s culture.
