Naama
Encyclopedia
Naama (born February 23, 1934 in Azmour
) is a distinguished Tunisian singer. Born Halima ECheikh in Azmour
, she was named "Naama" (meaning a godsend in Arabic) by the Master Tunisian composer Salah Al Mahdi. Naama became her stage name which she kept until she retired in late 90's.
, in the North of Tunisia
into a conservative family. After the divorce of her parents, she lived with her mother between Azmour and the capital city Tunis
.
She frequented the residence of Bechir Ressaïssi, the boss of the record label Baïdaphone, where there were regularly held the rehearsals of the major Tunisian singers back then. She got married at the age of 16. She has two sons : Hichem and Tarek and a daughter : Henda. In the mid 50's, she joined the Rachidia (Conservatory of traditional Tunisian music). Upon hearing her voice, Salah Al Mahdi named her Naama(a godsend in Arabic), which became her stage name. In 1958, she joined the Tunisian Radio as a soloist and gained immediate fame in Tunisia
. Rapidly her fame spread to Algeria
, Libya
and Morocco
and she held several concerts there. She was the muse of several major Tunisian composers such as: Mohamed Triki, Salah Al Mahdi and Chedly Anouar. Her repertoire comprises more than 360 songs in all themes and in different genres, ranging from folk to classical Tunisian music and popular songs... She sang poems of major Tunisian poets such as Mohamed Boudhina, Ahmed Khaireddine, Mahmoud Bourguiba, Mostfa Khraief and Mnawar Smadah... She also sang a poem of Nizar Qabbani
"taloumony donia".
Hamadi Abassi, « Naâma. La fille d'Ezmour », Saisons tunisiennes, 27 juillet 2007
http://www.saisonstunisiennes.com/articles/naama/
Azmour
Azmour is small town and commune in the Nabeul Governorate, located in Cape Bon peninsular of Tunisia, bounded to the north by El Haouaria, to the south by Kélibia, east by Hammam Ghezèze and west by Menzel Temime....
) is a distinguished Tunisian singer. Born Halima ECheikh in Azmour
Azmour
Azmour is small town and commune in the Nabeul Governorate, located in Cape Bon peninsular of Tunisia, bounded to the north by El Haouaria, to the south by Kélibia, east by Hammam Ghezèze and west by Menzel Temime....
, she was named "Naama" (meaning a godsend in Arabic) by the Master Tunisian composer Salah Al Mahdi. Naama became her stage name which she kept until she retired in late 90's.
Biography
Halima ECheikh, later known as Naama, was born on 23 February 1934 in AzmourAzmour
Azmour is small town and commune in the Nabeul Governorate, located in Cape Bon peninsular of Tunisia, bounded to the north by El Haouaria, to the south by Kélibia, east by Hammam Ghezèze and west by Menzel Temime....
, in the North of Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
into a conservative family. After the divorce of her parents, she lived with her mother between Azmour and the capital city Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
.
She frequented the residence of Bechir Ressaïssi, the boss of the record label Baïdaphone, where there were regularly held the rehearsals of the major Tunisian singers back then. She got married at the age of 16. She has two sons : Hichem and Tarek and a daughter : Henda. In the mid 50's, she joined the Rachidia (Conservatory of traditional Tunisian music). Upon hearing her voice, Salah Al Mahdi named her Naama(a godsend in Arabic), which became her stage name. In 1958, she joined the Tunisian Radio as a soloist and gained immediate fame in Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
. Rapidly her fame spread to Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
and Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and she held several concerts there. She was the muse of several major Tunisian composers such as: Mohamed Triki, Salah Al Mahdi and Chedly Anouar. Her repertoire comprises more than 360 songs in all themes and in different genres, ranging from folk to classical Tunisian music and popular songs... She sang poems of major Tunisian poets such as Mohamed Boudhina, Ahmed Khaireddine, Mahmoud Bourguiba, Mostfa Khraief and Mnawar Smadah... She also sang a poem of Nizar Qabbani
Nizar Qabbani
Nizar Tawfiq Qabbani was a Syrian diplomat, poet and publisher. His poetic style combines simplicity and elegance in exploring themes of love, eroticism, feminism, religion, and Arab nationalism...
"taloumony donia".
Sources
Mohamed Bouthina, « Naâma. The eternal voice» Tunis, 1997.Hamadi Abassi, « Naâma. La fille d'Ezmour », Saisons tunisiennes, 27 juillet 2007
http://www.saisonstunisiennes.com/articles/naama/