The Art of Al Taghrood

It is the singing on the back of "camels" — the hajin (riding camels) — or on horseback, to spur them on or to spur on their riders. The taghrood of the boush is called the Bedouin "razha" or Bedouin "razfa". It is a collective song in a fixed melodic form that does not change with the change of place, and this form is distinguished by the lengthening of the prolongation letters in a distinctive melodic wave that is the audible image of the riders' movement. Among the names they give to the "taghrood" is the name Shillat Al Rukkab, and it may also be called "Hambal Al Rukkab" — the meaning in both cases is one: it is the men's march. In reference to the melodic character of the taghrood of the "boush", the naming varies, such as: Al Ghairouz, Al Gharoud, Al Taghrida, Al Gharouda, Al Gharoud, Al Gharouda. The origin of this art goes back to a group of men who used to perform it — of old — as they rode the camels heading to a battle or returning from it victorious. It is also performed for evening entertainment and amusement while the Bedouin sit in their tents. As for the taghrood of horses, it is a song interspersed with shouts to invigorate the horse and praise it with verse enumerating its virtues and merits. The taghrood of horses is usually performed by their horsemen in preparation for taking part in the race. The taghrood of horses is distinguished in its verses by meanings of courage, boldness and the readiness to come to the aid of the weak.