From the Abbey to the Digital Age: How Extraordinary Women Have Used Music to Take Power When None Was Given: A Historical Narrative in the Lives of Hildegard, Umm Kulthum, and Twenty-First Century Female Arab-Rap and Popular Music Artists

Sharon Franco

Abstract

From the Abbey to the Digital Age, that is, a historical narrative, examines the lives of the following women: Hildegard von Bingen, a Medieval abbess, Umm Kulthum, twentieth-century Egyptian popular music singer, Myam Mahmoud and Lynn Fattouh (known as Malikah), female Arab-Rap artists, and Assala Nasri, a popular music artist. From the Abbey, reveals how the aforementioned women, used music to mitigate the oppression that they face (d) on a daily basis, within their respective historical time periods; a historical narrative that focuses on how these women gained empowerment by using music as their guide. Seminal documents, such as Hildegard’s letters, that span decades, her antiphons, morality play, and her journal serve as evidence in crafting a concise historical narrative. Such methodology applies to all women. Findings consist of the narratives themselves. Each chapter/narrative reflects the research conducted based on the research question: How have Hildegard, Umm Kulthum, Myam Mahmoud, Lynn Fattouh, and Assala Nasri, use music as a way to mitigate social, political, cultural, and religious oppression?

Each chapter/narrative tells the story of the above-mentioned individuals, in terms of how they gained empowerment; they did so by writing, composing, and performing their own music; they collaborated with other artists. Even in times of danger, they persevered and found a way to be heard; more importantly, to bring about positive changes for all women, be it religious, the right to full citizenship, and the right to speak freely, in a primarily male-dominated Arab-world.

By carefully examining contemporary interview transcripts, scholarly articles, secondary sources by prominent historians, and copious amount of primary sources, as well as the artists’ own lyrics, one finds that feminism does exist in the Arab world. By writing, performing and producing their music, while adhering to traditional familial and religious principles, female Arab-Rap and pop artists have navigated the often perilous waters of Arab culture. They have successfully delivered a potent message of empowerment, using music and social media forums to educate the masses; while concurrently, exercising political autonomy. The evidence put forth, has revealed women from the past and present, who used music to amplify their messages. Female Arab-Rap and pop artists, champion humanitarian efforts for a number of vital causes. Social media helps to spread the word. Enjoy.

Disciplines

Composition | Music | Music Performance | Other Music

Department

Humanities (HUM)

First Advisor

Daniel Cowdin

Second Advisor

Thalia Wood

Date of Award

Fall 11-2024

Third Advisor

Sean O'Callaghan

Document Type

Dissertation

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