The Gorillaz are coming to Damascus. Some thoughts.
Syria's strange love affair with all things English continues with the imminent visit of the Gorillaz to Damascus. Apparently they will be playing at the capital's old citadel (once used as a prison), that is fast acquiring the new label of "downtown" amongst our uber-trendy fashion elites. You know there was another eminent British singer who visited Damascus many years ago, Samantha Fox. Shawaya* in Syria were wearing her t-shirts and playing her songs on cassette for years to come. I expect our chic neo-shawaya with their fake Beiruti accents to dazzle us all just as much.
*Shawi is the Syrian version of what are popularly referred to as chavs in the United Kingdom. The only difference is that the neo-shawaya today are rich whereas the older shawaya were not. This term is not to be confused with nawar, or gypsies. Although people described as nawar are commonly referred to as having no class, a shawi is just of a different nuance. Today's neo-shawaya can be seen dressed up smartly to go to KFC or congregating in the Shaalan to ogle the opposite sex. They are also intensely patriotic but don't know why. Ultimately they just aren't cool...
Anyway. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Samantha Fox...cringeworthy yet catchy.
2 comments:
Shawaya, and Nawar are actually distinct populations in Syria, Wassim. Both words are used derogatively to describe anyone who is "declassé", but they refer to actual people. Shawaya, are a number of tribes in Bukamal, and Deir Ezzor.
I'm not sure you knew that already, but at least the way you were using the term, suggested otherwise.
I'm not sure you knew that already, but at least the way you were using the term, suggested otherwise.
Not really, but you just wanted something to say since I offended your one-world one-love global voices ideology (which in my personal opinion is completely gay). Stop being such a woman and grow some balls.
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