Rabab Ao Zalmi is a Pakistani music duo consisting of two brothers, Huzaifa Khan Wazir and Khuzaima Khan Wazir, who hail from North Waziristan in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. The brothers who now live in the city of Karachi play the traditional tunes of their region using their trusted Rababs. The young, ambitious and energetic duo has collaborated with various musicians to produce a mix of traditional and modern Pakistani music and their tunes are ecstasy.
The region of origins
The population is a part of the tribal cultures which follows the tribal system. The society is influenced by the Pashtoon culture which is dominant in Afghanistan and the north west of Pakistan. their way of life is amongst the many traditions that make Pakistan versatile.
North Waziristan is the northern part of Waziristan, a mountainous region of northwest Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering 11,585 square kilometers. Waziristan comprises the area west and southwest of Peshawar between the Kurram River (Tochi River) to the north and the Gomal River to the south. The population consists of a sub division of the Waziri Tribe called the Utmanzai. The population is a part of the tribal cultures which follows the tribal system. The society is influenced by the Pashtoon culture which is dominant in Afghanistan and the north west of Pakistan. their way of life is amongst the many traditions that make Pakistan versatile.
The musical culture of the region consists of traditional Pashtoon music which involves the Rabab, Chitrally sitar and various other instruments and all the tribes have their distinct Attan dances. The people of the region adore their traditions and certainly know how to have a good time even with the current situation in the region due to the war against terrorism.
Rabab Ao Zalmi
Their previous band involved the combination of the traditional Pashtoon songs with the modern touches of the guitar and a beat by a Tombak player. Now the two brothers have collaborated with a more up to date form of music, Electronic
Rabab Ao Zalmi was formed after the two Waziri brothers shifted to Karachi thus breaking their previous group, two pairs, which consisted of two pairs of brothers. Their previous band involved the combination of the traditional Pashtoon songs with the modern touches of the guitar and a beat by a Tombak player. Now the two brothers have collaborated with a more up to date form of music, Electronic, which is becoming more and more popular by the day. The combination of the two genres is truly beautiful, unique and genius because this allows them to showcase their traditions using a popular form of music.
The goal of the band is to showcase their culture to the Pakistani population. They do it to remind people of one of the most neglected, discriminated, and war torn regions of the country. Their music is their way of showing the people that the tribal areas are more than just the war against terror and tribal wars, it is a region with a unique and beautiful culture which NEEDS to be seen.
The GVS team were lucky enough to meet the duo personally and listen to what their music had to say and most certainly their skill, emotion, and traditions resonated with us. Here is our encounter with the two.