Syrian family of oud makers keeps the music going for generations

(20 Aug 2023)
SYRIA OUD LUTHIER
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
LENGTH: 4:29
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Damascus, Syria - 13 August 2023
1. Various of man sanding oud instrument
2. Workshop where oud is made
3. Various of man sanding oud
4. Various of oud maker Hussein Sabsabi working at workshop
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hussein Sabsabi, oud maker:
"I consider it (to keep making oud) a victory. It is a victory for what’s right because this is something that is ours. The oud has been around since 3500 BC. It has been here with us. Under the current conditions and the hardship that we are facing, and the wars that have been waged on us from all of over the world, the fact that we are able to present these works, these artistic works that reflect heritage and humanity, is a huge win for us."
6. Various of man placing finished oud instrument on shelf
7. Various of Hussein showing detail on finished oud
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hussein Sabsabi,, oud maker:
"It is really hard to get material such as wood and strings. It is very difficult for items to get imported here. We are unable to order items or buy things online. We need someone from abroad to help us. And if we want to ship something, they say, 'we are not responsible. We don’t send items to Syria.' We hope that this crisis ends for the sake of all these craftsmen."
9. Various of oud maker Mohammed Sabsabi using computer
10. Various of machine carving patterns on oud
11. Hussein and Mohammed unwrapping oud
12. SOUNDBITE(Arabic) Mohammed Sabsabi, oud maker:
"Until this day, we are trying to work on improving this instrument and presenting the most beautiful thing we can because we are musicians and craftsmen. We are not just craftsman, we also play the oud. We know how to produce the right instrument for each musician based on their personality, their school of thought and musical taste."
13. Various of Hussein and Mohammed working together
14. Various of Mohammed and another man at workshop working on oud instruments
15. SOUNDBITE(Arabic) Mohammed Sabsabi, oud maker:
"It (the Syrian oud) can be in all Arabic schools of music. It suits all Arabic schools such as the Jordanian or Palestinian, which have a similar identity to the Syrian school. The Egyptian is also very close to the Syrian school. The Syrian oud is suitable for all schools in the Arab world whereas the Turkish oud is just for Turkey (Turkish music). It looks the same as the Syrian but its sound is so different from the Arabic oud, specifically the Syrian oud."
16. Various of Hussein taking measurements and cutting wood to make oud

STORYLINE:
For generations, the Sabsabi family has been making an instrument considered one of Syria’s biggest national treasures, the Damascene oud.

Last year, the pear-shaped stringed instrument was added to U.N.’s list of intangible cultural heritage, which was considered a big win for families like the Sabsabis.

According to the joint nomination presented by Iran and Syria to the UNESCO, the oud is considered the 'Godfather' of Arab string instruments of a Persian origin. It is present mainly in the Middle East but also in Europe, Asia and Africa.

The Syrian oud was created more than 120 years ago and spread in Damascus by the Nahhat's family. The craft that was transmitted later to other families and became a source of pride for luthiers like Hussein Sabsabi and his son Mohammed.

"This is something that is ours," says Hussein.


As Hussein and Mohammed carry on the tradition of making the oud, they often struggle to get their hands on the materials needed to produce it.















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