Raï
| Raï | |
|---|---|
Cover arts of Raï albums of the 1980s | |
| Native name | راي |
| Stylistic origins |
|
| Cultural origins | Early 20th century in the Oranie region, Algeria |
| Fusion genres | |
| Raï'n'B | |
| Local scenes | |
| Other topics | |
| Music of Algeria | |
| Raï, popular folk song of Algeria | |
|---|---|
| Country | Algeria |
| Domains | Oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events and traditional craftsmanship |
| Reference | 01894 |
| Region | Arab States |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2022 (17th session) |
| List | Representative |
| Part of a series on the |
| Culture of Algeria |
|---|
| People |
| Mythology |
| Art |
Raï (/raɪ.i/, /raɪ/; Arabic: راي, rāʾy, [raʔi]), sometimes written rai, is a form of Algerian folk music that dates back to the 1920s. Singers of Raï are called cheb (شاب) or cheba (شابة), i.e. 'young', as opposed to sheikh (شيخ, 'shaykh'), i.e. 'old', the name given to Chaabi singers. The tradition arose in the city of Oran, primarily among the poor. Traditionally sung by men, by the end of the 20th century, female singers became common. The lyrics have concerned social issues such as disease and the policing of European colonies that affected native populations.