The "Nights of Poetry" event, part of the cultural programs of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2024, hosted poet and composer Ibrahim Jumah, who has extensive experience in art, poetry, and the local Emirati heritage. He provided attendees with valuable information about the heritage of the United Arab Emirates, maritime journeys, and "Nehmah," showcasing his journey in the field of art from writing poetry to composing music.
Under the title "The Melodic Sea," the session was named after a new book published by the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language, the event's organizer, authored by heritage researcher Ibrahim Al-Hashimi, who moderated the discussion with Ibrahim Jumah. He was accompanied by the Youth Folk Arts Troupe, which performed several traditional maritime songs that Emiratis used to sing during fishing expeditions.
Ibrahim Jumah began his evening by discussing "Nehmah," a musical art form that accompanies the work aboard ships, specific to the sea and sailors along the shores of the Arabian Gulf. He explained the different types of "Nehmah" and how it has developed over time due to interactions with neighboring cultures as sailors traveled from one island to another. He also talked about the rituals of maritime journeys, describing the celebrations involved, some of which resemble a "wedding procession."
He emphasized that his life and artistic and poetic experiences have been significantly influenced by the sea, noting that maritime culture is rich, with most of the local terms used being nautical. He also mentioned that he lived near the sea.
Regarding his experience in composition, Ibrahim Jumah explained that it began when he was thirteen, participating in scout camps in the Gulf countries, where he composed scout greetings. This talent gradually developed and flourished after his travels to Egypt, where he met prominent Egyptian artists who praised and encouraged him, leading him to write and compose songs.
He highlighted the significant artistic figures he encountered during his poetic and musical journey and his collaborations with renowned singers such as Abdullah Al-Ruwaished, Abu Bakr Salem, Abdul Rabb Idris, Rashid Al-Majed, Mohammed Abdu, and others.
At the end of the evening, attended by His Excellency Saeed Hamdan Al-Tuniji, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language, Director of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, and several local poets, Ibrahim Jumah expressed his gratitude to the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language for honoring him with the publication of a book documenting his experience, while he signed copies of his new book for the attendees.
