Eida al Menhali, Mahma Jara - ,

Visualization: Dubai & Abu Dhabi - Memories from my trip the Emirates, 2012 ‘’Would you like to hear some local Arabic music?’’ Marcos asked me one moment while preparing himself. ‘’Yes’’, I answered, without expecting what would follow. Then, Marcos made me hear a sort of music that has nothing in common with Egyptian or Lebanese music. To the Lebanese and the Egyptians, it may have sounded ‘very balady’, which means ‘low class’ or even ‘vulgar’; I found it tribal, mountainous, and original. ‘’What is the singer’s name?’’ I asked Marcos; ‘’would you like to have the correct pronunciation?’’ Marcos asked immediately. ‘’Yes’’, I said, unaware of what would come as answer! The answer was in three syllables; the first sounded like a burp, the second echoed like the end of a burp, and the last gave the impression that somebody vomited. It was: - Ayedha! After we both laughed extensively, Marcos added the surname: Al Manhali.