Shafik Kabha, musician and revolutionary, 1960-2013

One of Palestine's most loved singers Shafik Kabha was gunned down on his way home from
singing at a wedding in Umm al Fahm, Galilee on 22 October. He was aged 53. Shafik was famous
for his staunch support for the Palestinian cause, which he bravely upheld as a '48 Palestinian,
forced to live under the apartheid rule of the Israeli state. His musical approach was diverse, modern
and highly skilful. He refused to let obstacles stand in his way and sang anthems for a free Palestine
wherever he went.

Shafik Taqfiq Kahba was born in 1960 in the Arab town of Kafr Qara, 20 miles south of the city of
Haifa. Following the tradition of many of the most technically gifted Arab singers including Umm
Kalthoum, Shafik learned to recite the Quran as a youngster. He joined his first band at the age of
16 and his popularity grew rapidly. He performed at weddings and gained a reputation for
exhilarating performances. He produced more than 10 records, all of them well known, with over
100 of his live shows being circulated on cassette. Shafik has been hailed by some as a truly 'pan-
Palestine' singer, with huge popularity in Gaza, the West Bank and Galilee.

Musically, Shafik walked the line between tradition and Western-influenced modernity, often using
keyboards, guitars and drums in new arrangements of traditional Middle Eastern songs. Over the
decades that followed the nakba of 1948, Palestinian singers have taken these songs on as anthems
representing national aspirations for independence and return. Shafik sang updated versions of
songs such as Zareef el Tool (Tall Handsome Man), which pleads with the traveller to come back to
his homeland. The new style of mijwiz music (named after a reed pipe of the same name) combined
intense, decorative keyboard playing with a style of singing strongly influenced by the folk voices
of the region. Shafik's singing style drew comparisons with popular Iraqi singers like Nazem al
Ghazaly, yet his message was distinctly Palestinian. He sang, “Freedom is ours, we will gain it...
Palestine, call on the lovers to come back to your pure land.” Palestinian 'ud player Nizar Rohana
told me that, Shafik “was an icon for many Palestinians and played an important role in preserving
and disseminating Palestinian folk tunes.” [1]

As other Palestinian musicians have found, the preservation of an oppressed culture is a political
act. As the son of a Palestinian family who remained in Galilee after 1948, Shafik faced the stigma
of being labelled an 'Arab Israeli.' Israel banned Shafik from performing in the West Bank for 10
years, due to the fiery revolutionary nationalism of his songs. But his status as an Israeli citizen
meant that he also faced a ban in Jordan and Egypt, countries whose boycott of Israel often includes
boycotting the Palestinians who have little choice but to hold Israeli passports; often these countries
have defended Israel anyway, as with Egyptian collaboration with the blockade of Gaza. Shafik
dealt with the political manoeuvrings of Israel and its allies with a sharp tongue and witty sense of
humour. He called Western-backed Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak “the only politician that
respects international law - he respects the agreements he signed with his beloved Israel.” Despite
the huge obstacles that stood in his way, Shafik never gave up his positive message of Palestinian
independence, singing songs of love and politics. He could sing of the warmth of marriage but also
of the “cold hands” of the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights. He commended the “most
courageous people” of Gaza for refusing to give up their struggle.

The late singer's passing has brought tributes from across the musical spectrum. Tamer Nafar of the
rap group DAM said the tragedy was “one of the saddest things I have ever heard.” Composer and
'ud played Issa Boulos paid his respects to a “great artist who departed well before his time. Despite
the fact that his contributions and versatility mark the history and evolution of Palestinian music
and song in such an profound way, Shafik had still a great deal more to offer and his passing is a
huge loss. Shafik meant a great deal to me, I loved his voice and his commitment to the various
genres and styles he presented and mastered... His vocal ability was superb and his deep
understanding of traditional genres, dialects, and tonalities show how this master travelled with his
voice to show how "song" can transform communities and influence how people think and perceive
art. He will be missed, though will remain alive as a major point of reference well after his
passing.”

Just hours after singing at a wedding in Umm al Fahm, Shafik was shot four times by unidentified
assailants riding motorcycles, apparently taking him by surprise at the town's intersection before
speeding away from the scene. He was taken to a local medical centre in a critical condition but was
pronounced dead soon after. He leaves behind a wife and four children and is described as a warm
man who had a good relationship with all he knew. On learning of Shafik's death, Said Murad,
founder of the Palestinian band Sabreen said that, “Some people are creators and it is their mission
to bring new things to life. And some others keep alive our traditions and history. Shafik was one of
those who kept our soul alive.”

[1] All of the quotes from musicians in this article were given directly to the author.

planning research for a book on Palestinian music.