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Etab

Etab (30 December 1947 – 19 August 2007), born Tarouf Abdulkhair Adam Talal in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was a pioneering Saudi Arabian singer and actress.^[1] One of the first female singers from Saudi Arabia, she began her career in the early 1960s, rising to prominence with emotive performances in traditional and popular Arab music genres.^[2] Etab released over 15 albums, including hits like "Jani Al-Asmar" and "Alashanah," and starred in three films during her career.^[3] In 1978, she married an Egyptian man and relocated to Egypt, where she received citizenship in 1983 and continued performing until her death from cancer.^[4] Known for her advocacy for women's rights amid conservative social norms, Etab remains an iconic figure in Arab music, influencing subsequent generations of female artists.^[5]

Early life

Family background

Etab, born Tarouf Abdulkhair Adam Muhammad al-Talal Hawsawi on December 30, 1947, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hailed from the Hawsawi family, a prominent Black Saudi lineage with roots tracing back to Hausa migrants from West Africa, particularly Nigeria, who arrived in the Hijaz region in the late 19th century.^[5]^[7]^[8] Her real name appears in variations across sources, such as Tarfa Abdel-Kheir Adam, reflecting transliteration differences in Arabic naming conventions.^[9] The Hawsawi community's heritage, derived from the Hausa ethnic group, infused Etab's early life with a distinctive Afro-Arab cultural identity, blending West African traditions with Arabian influences. This background exposed her to a rich tapestry of musical expressions, including traditional African rhythms and Arab folk melodies prevalent in Riyadh's social gatherings during the mid-20th century. Such dual heritage likely shaped her innate affinity for song, fostering an appreciation for diverse sonic elements that would later define her artistry.^[10] In 1950s Saudi Arabia, a time when conservative social norms severely limited women's public participation and artistic pursuits, her household emphasized familial and community traditions, where music served as a private outlet amid broader societal restrictions on female expression. These circumstances underscored the challenges she would navigate as a trailblazing artist.^[7] Early signs of her singing talent emerged in childhood, rooted in these cultural and familial influences, setting the stage for her future career.^[7]

Childhood in Riyadh

Etab was born Tarouf Abdulkhair Adam Muhammad al-Talal Hawsawi (also known as Tarouf Abdulkhair Adam or Tarfa Abdel-Kheir Adam) on December 30, 1947, in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, into a family of African descent within the Hawsawi clan, a prominent Black Saudi lineage.^[5] Her early years unfolded in the conservative social environment of 1950s Riyadh, where rigid gender norms significantly curtailed opportunities for girls' education and public expression, confining many to domestic roles and limiting personal freedoms.^[7] Despite these societal constraints, Etab's formative environment provided indirect exposure to music through local traditions and familial settings. Growing up amid Bedouin influences in Riyadh, she absorbed Saudi folkloric songs and rhythms prevalent in social gatherings, which sparked her innate vocal talents.^[10]^[7] Largely self-taught, Etab honed her singing skills independently during her pre-teen years, drawing from the oral musical heritage around her rather than formal training, which was rare for girls of her era. This period laid the groundwork for her unique style, rooted in Khaleeji and Gulf folk elements encountered in everyday Riyadh life, though professional pursuits lay ahead. By age 13, she began performing at familial and community events, marking the transition from private passion to emerging artistry.^[10]^[7]

Musical career

Debut performances

Etab began her musical journey in the early 1960s through informal performances at weddings and private social gatherings in Riyadh, where she sang alongside fellow singer Sarah Osman and oud player Hayat Saleh.^[5] These early appearances, often at familial and community events, allowed her to hone her vocal talents amid a conservative social environment that limited women's public expression.^[7] Her decision to pursue singing professionally marked a significant breakthrough, positioning her as Saudi Arabia's first female singer and challenging entrenched cultural taboos against women entering the entertainment industry.^[10]^[11] Born Tarouf Abdulkhair Adam Talal in 1947, Etab drew from childhood exposure to music in her Bedouin family background, which encouraged her persistence despite societal constraints that hindered girls' artistic pursuits.^[7] Etab's early style blended traditional Khaleeji music—characterized by rhythmic Gulf melodies—with personal African influences from her Afro-Arab heritage, emphasizing emotional ballads centered on themes of love and longing.^[10] This fusion reflected her Bedouin roots while incorporating North African folk elements, creating a distinctive warm and melodic voice that resonated in intimate settings.^[7] In the mid-1960s, Etab recorded her initial singles, including her debut track "Ya Bent" composed by Fawzi al-Simoni in 1966, which helped solidify her presence in the regional music scene.^[5]^[7] She adopted the stage name "Etab," derived from the Arabic word عتاب meaning "reproach" or "blame," which echoed the poignant, introspective lyrical themes of her early work.^[12]

Rise in Saudi Arabia

Etab's professional ascent in Saudi Arabia began in earnest during the late 1960s, following her debut song "Ya Bent" in 1966, which marked her transition from familial gatherings to broader recognition.^[7] Supported by prominent artist Talal Maddah after relocating to Jeddah, she released her initial recordings, blending traditional Bedouin folk with contemporary Arab styles, which laid the foundation for her prolific output.^[7] By the mid-1970s, her discography had expanded significantly, contributing to a career total exceeding 15 albums, with early hits like "Alashanah" and "Hiya, Hady w'Huwa" capturing the essence of Saudi cultural heritage and resonating with audiences.^[13] These releases solidified her status as Saudi Arabia's pioneering female vocalist, drawing from her Hausa roots to infuse authenticity into her performances.^[10] The year 1979 emerged as a turning point for female musicianship in Saudi Arabia, as Etab's achievements alongside contemporaries like Ibtisam Lutfi highlighted a brief window of visibility for women in the arts before stricter societal norms took hold.^[14] Her success inspired a nascent generation of Gulf female artists, demonstrating that professional singing could transcend traditional barriers despite the male-dominated industry.^[10] Etab's influence extended beyond recordings, as her emotive delivery of folkloric songs encouraged others to pursue music, fostering a subtle shift in perceptions of women's roles in cultural expression during this era.^[7] Etab built a devoted fanbase across the Gulf region through high-profile performances and media exposure, including a landmark 1972 concert alongside Abdel Halim Hafez, where she showcased Saudi folk songs to widespread acclaim.^[7] Her appearances on Saudi television and radio broadcasts, such as those via Riyadhphone, amplified her reach, allowing her voice to echo in homes throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.^[14] Collaborations, including live duets with Haidar Fekri, further elevated her profile at major social events, transforming her from a local talent into a regional icon.^[7] Despite her rising fame, Etab encountered significant challenges, including societal backlash rooted in conservative traditions that viewed female public performance as transgressive.^[7] Restrictions on women's concerts intensified after 1979, following the Grand Mosque seizure and the subsequent rise of religious extremism, which curtailed broadcasts and live opportunities for artists like her.^[14] These obstacles tested her resilience, yet she persisted in navigating the constraints, using private and semi-public venues to maintain her momentum until broader relocations became necessary.^[13]

Career in Egypt

Following her relocation to Cairo in 1978 after marrying an Egyptian, Etab's career shifted toward greater integration into the Arab music industry, leveraging Egypt's status as a cultural epicenter. She obtained Egyptian citizenship in 1983, which facilitated her formal entry into professional guilds, including membership in the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate and the Union of Arab Artists.^[13]^[10] These affiliations allowed her to participate fully in Egypt's vibrant music scene, where she collaborated with established artists and expanded her repertoire beyond Saudi folk traditions to include broader Arab influences.^[10] In the 1980s and 1990s, Etab released at least five additional albums, contributing to her overall discography of over 15 works that solidified her pan-Arab popularity. Notable hits from this period, such as "Jani Al-Asmar" and "Mita Ashoufaq," showcased her versatile voice blending Khaliji rhythms with Egyptian melodic styles, resonating across the region through radio and television broadcasts.^[7]^[13] She performed frequently in Cairo's concert halls and theaters, as well as on Egyptian television programs like "Jalsat Tarab," which she co-hosted to spotlight emerging talents, thereby reaching audiences throughout the Arab world via Egypt's influential media networks.^[7] Etab's Egyptian phase marked her evolution from a Saudi pioneer to a regional icon, with her recordings and live shows fostering cross-cultural appeal in the 1980s and 1990s. However, a cancer diagnosis in 1997 led to her retirement from active recording and performances that year.^[13] Her legacy endured through re-releases of her albums and songs, which continued to circulate on platforms and in compilations, maintaining her influence on subsequent Arab musicians.^[15]

Other works

Film roles

Etab ventured into acting during the 1980s, appearing in three films that primarily served as platforms to highlight her vocal talents amid a predominantly male-dominated Arab cinema landscape.^[13] Her roles often intertwined music with narrative, allowing her to perform original songs and extend her reach beyond concert stages. Details on her first and third films are limited, with sources confirming a total of three appearances but without specific titles beyond her known role in 1988. This early venture underscored the challenges of transitioning from singer to actress in an industry where women faced limited opportunities, often requiring them to leverage their performance skills to secure roles. In 1988, Etab starred in the Saudi-Egyptian co-production Men Aglokom Ashna, a film that prominently featured her original songs, blending musical sequences with dramatic elements to emphasize emotional depth tied to her resilient persona as a pioneering female artist. The soundtrack, including hits performed by her, significantly boosted her visibility across the Arab world by merging cinema with her established musical repertoire.^[16] These appearances, though limited, highlighted Etab's ability to infuse roles with authentic emotional layers, reflecting her journey from Saudi stages to broader regional screens.

Activism efforts

Etab was a pioneering advocate for women's rights within the Arab music industry, particularly by challenging the restrictions on female public performances in Saudi Arabia during the 1970s. She defied conservative norms by singing professionally and leading an all-female band during her debut with Abdel Halim Hafez in 1972.^[7] Her relocation from Saudi Arabia to Egypt around 1978 is primarily attributed to her marriage to an Egyptian man.^[13] This relocation served as a catalyst for her continued work abroad, where she navigated and contested gender barriers in the male-dominated field. In Egypt, Etab focused on mentoring young Arab female artists, co-presenting the television program Jalsat Tarab to discover and promote emerging talents, thereby fostering greater gender equality in music syndicates and performance opportunities. She devoted much of her later career to defending women's roles in the industry, influencing subsequent Gulf singers such as Ahlam from the UAE and Nawal from Kuwait.^[7] Through her lyrics, often delivered in the Saudi dialect to preserve cultural authenticity, Etab addressed themes of love, yearning, happiness, and struggle.^[7]

Personal life and death

Marriage and relocation

In 1978, Etab married an Egyptian national who was employed in the Saudi Information Ministry.^[13] This union marked a significant personal milestone, providing her with emotional and logistical support during a period of intense professional demands in the conservative Saudi entertainment landscape.^[7] Following the marriage, Etab relocated to Cairo, Egypt's vibrant cultural capital and the epicenter of Arab music production, where she settled with her family.^[13]^[7] The move, which occurred shortly after the wedding, enabled her to escape the stricter societal and artistic constraints in Saudi Arabia, fostering greater opportunities for creative expression and career advancement in a more permissive environment.^[10] In 1983, she acquired Egyptian citizenship, which further solidified her integration into the broader Arab entertainment industry and allowed seamless participation in regional collaborations.^[13]^[9] Details about Etab's family life remain relatively private, with public records confirming she was a devoted mother to three children, including at least one daughter, whose education later influenced family decisions on residence.^[17]^[10] This marriage, her second, offered a foundation of stability, balancing her demanding artistic pursuits with personal commitments, though it eventually faced strains leading to legal disputes years later.^[7] This period in Cairo, spanning over two decades from the early 1980s, underscored how the relocation not only reshaped her domestic life but also amplified her presence across the Arab world.^[7]

Health decline and passing

In 1997, while residing in the United Arab Emirates, Etab was diagnosed with cancer, which marked the beginning of a prolonged health struggle that ultimately led to her retirement from performing and recording.^[13] Following the diagnosis, she initially sought treatment in the United States, but her deteriorating condition and financial difficulties compelled her to return to Egypt, where she had obtained citizenship in 1983.^[13] She endured a long battle with the disease.^[13] She passed away on August 19, 2007, in Cairo, Egypt, at the age of 59.^[18] Etab's funeral was held the following day in a cemetery in 6th of October City, southwest of Cairo, drawing condolences from artists, fans, and singers across the Arab world.^[13]

Legacy

Influence on Arab music

Etab's contributions to Arab music were marked by her pioneering integration of Hausa-infused rhythms into the Khaleeji genre, fostering a distinctive Afro-Arab sound that infused traditional Gulf melodies with African percussive elements.^[9]^[7] Her songs often explored themes of love, reproach, and female empowerment, as evident in tracks that blended heartfelt narratives with rhythmic vitality drawn from her Sudanese-Hausa heritage, thereby enriching Khaleeji's expressive palette.^[10]^[17] As the first Saudi female singer to achieve prominence in the 1960s, Etab shattered gender barriers in a conservative society, enabling greater female participation in Gulf music and inspiring a wave of women artists in the 1980s, including figures like Ahlam Alshamsi and Nawal.^[7]^[19] Her trailblazing performances, often with all-female ensembles, challenged patriarchal norms and opened pathways for women to perform publicly across the Arab world.^[10]^[7] Etab's discography, comprising over 15 albums from the 1960s to the 1990s, masterfully merged traditional Bedouin and folk elements with modern pop influences, producing enduring hits such as "Jani al-Asmar" that shaped regional pop-folk traditions.^[10]^[7]^[17] This body of work not only popularized the Saudi dialect in Arab music but also established a hybrid style that resonated across the Gulf and beyond, influencing subsequent Khaleeji productions.^[7] Her role as a prominent Black Arab artist amplified underrepresented voices, confronting racial and gender stereotypes through her husky timbre and authentic portrayals of diverse identities in song.^[9]^[10] By centering Afro-Arab experiences in mainstream Arab music, Etab fostered greater cultural inclusivity and empowered marginalized communities within the industry.^[9]^[7]

Posthumous recognition

Following her death in 2007, Etab received significant posthumous recognition that underscored her pioneering role in Arab music. On December 30, 2017, Google honored what would have been her 70th birthday with a dedicated Doodle, featuring a colorful illustration of the singer and highlighting her as a trailblazer who broke barriers for women in Saudi Arabia's cultural scene.^[20]^[18] The tribute emphasized her enduring legacy as the Kingdom's first female singer, reaching audiences across 15 countries and reigniting interest in her contributions to Gulf music.^[5] In 2022, marking the 15th anniversary of her passing, media outlets published retrospectives celebrating her life and impact, portraying her as a symbol of resilience and innovation in a conservative era. These commemorations, such as those reflecting on her journey from Riyadh to Cairo, highlighted how she paved the way for future female artists in the Gulf region despite facing societal challenges.^[7] Etab's music has seen renewed vitality through re-releases and compilations, drawing younger listeners to her timeless work. In 2023, French label Elmir Records issued a vinyl edition of her self-titled album Ettab (originally released in 1992), featuring tracks like "Min fina Ya Hal Tara" that blend Saudi folk influences with modern production, helping introduce her Afro-Arab sound to new generations via streaming and collector markets.^[21] This revival has contributed to broader appreciation of her discography among contemporary audiences seeking cultural roots.^[22] In 2024, to mark the 94th Saudi National Day on September 23, Billboard Arabia used AI technology to create a virtual performance of Etab singing her hit "Ya Bent," bringing her voice back to life and honoring her legacy as a pioneer in Arab music.^[23] Additionally, an AI-generated tribute video was released, reimagining her performances and further engaging new audiences with her contributions.^[19] In academic and cultural discourse, Etab is frequently portrayed as an icon of the 1960s-1970s women's cultural shift in Saudi Arabia, embodying the era's gradual opening to female public expression amid modernization. Scholars and critics describe her as a pioneer who challenged gender norms by entering the male-dominated music industry, influencing discussions on identity, race, and empowerment in Gulf history.^[10] Her story is invoked in analyses of how Afro-Saudi women navigated societal barriers, solidifying her status as a foundational figure in the Kingdom's evolving cultural narrative.^[7]

References

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ETABS | BUILDING ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
SAPFire® Analysis Engine. CSI Solvers have been tried and tested by the industry for over 45 years. The SAPFire Analysis Engine can support multiple 64-bit ...Trial · Structural Engineering Software · Videos · ETABS Enhancements
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About | Computers and Structures, Inc.
Founded in 1975, Computers and Structures, Inc. (CSI) is recognized globally as the pioneering leader in software tools for structural and earthquake ...
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ETABS Features | BUILDING ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
The ETABS model explorer enhances your ability to manage data in your model. You can define, duplicate, and modify properties in groups and drag-and-drop ...
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ETABS Instrumental in Helping Engineers Solve Structural ...
ETABS Instrumental in Helping Engineers Solve Structural Challenges of Burj Khalifa | Computers and Structures, Inc.
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Google Doodle celebrates Saudi singer Etab - Al Arabiya
Dec 30, 2017 · Tarouf Abdelkheir Adam Talal, famous by her stage name Etab, was born in Riyadh in 1947. عتاب. According to Saud bin Abdul Majid and Talal Laban ...Missing: family background Abdulkhair
[6]
Remembering Saudi Singer Etab 15 Years Since Her Death
Aug 20, 2022 · Etab was born and raised in the 1950s, a period marked by social traditions that hindered young girls and prevented them from expressing ...Missing: Hausa Nigerian descent
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Uncovering the history of Saudi Arabia's Afro-Arab Hausa community
Dec 1, 2022 · The Hawsawi of Saudi Arabia are the descendants of the first wave of Hausa migrants to the Hijaz region. There were other west African ...
[8]
5 Interesting Facts About Etab, The Black Saudi Songstress
Born on 30 December 1947 in Saudi Arabia, Etab was the most famous black singer in the Arab world. · Etab's real name was Tarfa Abdel-Kheir Adam.Missing: Hausa descent
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Etab: The Late Afro-Arab Songstress is Saudi Arabia's First Female ...
Etab grew up as a Bedouin and, naturally, a handful of her songs often reflected her Bedouin roots. In addition to singing North African folk songs, at the time ...Missing: Hausa | Show results with:Hausa
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Hawsawi - Wikipedia
The Hawsawi (Arabic: هوساوي) are a prominent and large Black Saudi family whose name derives from the original name of the tribe in the Hausa language.
[11]
Google Doodle celebrates late Saudi pop singer Etab - Arts & Culture
Dec 30, 2017 · The singer's career kicked off in the 1960s and placed her as the first Saudi woman to perform publicly and one of the very first pop musicians ...Missing: debut early<|control11|><|separator|>
[12]
العِتاب | English Translation & Meaning | LingQ Dictionary
العِتاب · Admonition · admonition, gentle reprimand عِتَاْب to blame, censure, reprove, reproach, scold, reprimand (ه = s.o., على = for) عَاْتَبَ، يُعَاْتِب، عِتَاْب / مُعَاْتَبَة.<|control11|><|separator|>
[13]
First Female Saudi Singer Etab Dies at 66 - Arab News
Aug 21, 2007 · Etab was born in Saudi Arabia and married an Egyptian man who worked in the Saudi Information Ministry in 1978. She soon moved to Egypt where ...Missing: Hausa Nigerian descent
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Saudi Arabia’s ‘cultural rebirth’ in spotlight on Saudi National Day
### Summary of Etab's Performances, Broadcasts, and 1979 Context for Female Singers in Saudi Arabia
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Etaab | Spotify
Popular releases ; Dalaook Ahlak1993 • Album ; Etaab 961996 • Album ; Ya Saudi (Billboard Arabia Edit)2024 • Album ; Matar Al Ain1997 • Album ; Shakankari1995 • ...
[16]
من أجلكم عشنا /Men Aglokom Ashna (Saudi Arabia/Egypt 1988)
May 8, 2021 · Beautiful quality Arabic pop folk by excellent Saudi singer Etab taken from her 1988 album (released on CD in 1990, FJCD 1114). This is the ...Missing: Hausa cultural
[17]
Women singers return to Saudi TV after decades-long ban
Oct 4, 2017 · Women singers were banned from state television in the wake of the 1979 takeover of the Grand Mosque in Mecca by extremist insurgents, who were ...
[18]
There's More to Saudi Arabia Than Oil and Sharia - Haaretz Com
... Etab, who became Saudi Arabia's first female singer. Born in Riyadh in 1947, she started as a wedding singer. In 1980, she relocated to Cairo, where she ...
[19]
Etab: For My Children's Sake - Arab News
Aug 20, 2005 · A: Since I left Cairo I've been staying in Saudi Arabia; however I moved to live in Emirates due to my daughter's educational circumstances, ...
[20]
Google commemorates 70th birthday of famous Saudi female singer
Etab died on August 19, 2007 in Cairo at the age of 59, after a long battle with cancer.Missing: decline diagnosis 1997
[21]
Reimagining Etab: A tribute to Saudi Arabia's first female singer | LIST
Sep 22, 2024 · Her music, deeply rooted in Bedouin cultural heritage, continues to resonate with audiences today. While her famous hits like "Ya Saudi" have ...Missing: Hausa | Show results with:Hausa
[22]
Etab's 70th Birthday - Google Doodles
Dec 30, 2017 · Today's Doodle celebrates the cultural legacy of Etab, who would've been 70 years old today. Happy Birthday, Etab!
[23]
Ettab (عتاب) - Elmir Records - Bandcamp
After 15 albums and a few film appearances, Ettab devoted her time to defending the women's rights in the music world until her death in 2007 in Cairo. She is ...Missing: Etab 1960s 1970s
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Ettab (عتاب) - Unspun Heroes
Feb 9, 2024 · Ettab was born in 1947 as Tarouf Abdulkhair Adam Muhammad al-Talal Hawsawi, in Riyadh, but was exiled for her activism and support for women's ...Missing: family background