| Shams al-'Ashiya | |
| Original Title: | شمس العشية |
| Original Title Lang: | ar |
| Language: | Andalusi dialectical Arabic |
| Genre: | Andalusi zajal |
| Form: | Andalusi nawba |
"Shams al-'Ashiya" is a piece of Andalusi nawbah, a form of strophic poetry.[1] [2] It's one of the most popular songs sung on holidays and celebrations in the Morocco especially Eid al-Fitr.
The musician and researcher specializing in Moroccan musical heritage,, classifies it as a sana'a of Mizān Qudām al-Māya, or . It is a piece of zajal poetry, meaning that it is in Andalusi dialectical Arabic rather than Standard Arabic.[3] It spread throughout Morocco, though its author/composer is unknown.
This piece is a standard of Andalusi music and has been performed by many major Moroccan ensembles, including: the National Broadcast Ensemble led by, the al-Barihi Ensemble led by Abdelkrim Rais, and the Ensemble of the Institute of Music in Tetuan led by . The rendition by Mohamed Bajeddoub is also very popular.
Recently, it has also been reinterpreted by Nabyla Maan.[4] [5]
The subject of the poem is the setting sun, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the departure or loss of a friend or loved one.
The piece also attests to historic trade relations between the region and the Venetian Republic, as the song mentions "al-Awani l-Bunduqiya" ("the Venetian glassware") imported from Venice.[6]