DAMMAM, 4 March 2004 — The number of Saudi women who work full time as singers at weddings has recently increased. Weddings in this part of the world include separate parties for men and women, and the women sing only at the women’s party. Locally the women are known as “tagaga” and it is rare for a wedding to take place without them. They are common throughout Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
Um Muhammad, a divorced woman and leader of a group, told Al-Yaum Arabic newspaper that she began singing 15 years ago. “My group earned SR700 per wedding. That was not much since we all had to buy new clothes everytime we went to a wedding. After nine years, I formed my own band with the help of some of my friends and I became a professional singer. My income has increased. Now I get from SR7,000 to SR10,000 per night and with this kind of money, I have achieved my goals, and my children’s future is assured.”
Amal, an unmarried singer, said: “I have loved singing ever since I was young. I had talent but it was buried inside me. The only reason I began singing is that I needed the money. I was getting SR3,000 per night and then as more people knew me, I formed my own band with my sisters. Now I earn more than SR12,000 per night. People thought that I would not find customers to hire my band for that price but we are booked through the summer. We will work at many weddings and engagement celebrations. It is a tiring and exhausting job but it is worth it.”
Umm Tarek, another singer, said: “We have to discuss every tiny little detail before the wedding so we won’t have any problems. For example, whether we sing until dawn — the price is different for that from the price for a wedding that ends at midnight. I usually demand a down payment just to make sure the event is going to take place and also in case it is canceled. In that case, the down payment is distributed between me and the other members of the group.”
Sayeed Al-Ghamdi, an Eastern Province resident, had this to say about female singers: “My eldest son is going to get married soon. My wife insists that we hire one of these wedding singers. In my opinion, it is unnecessary. A man who is about to marry needs money, not an additional financial burden thrown on his shoulders. I cannot believe that I will have to pay SR7,000 for these wedding singers for only one night. That same amount of money could pay six months’ rent for an apartment or used to buy new furniture or kitchen appliances. It is a waste of money to spend so much for singers who will sing for about three or four hours. My wife insists on hiring the singers because her friend hired them for her daughter’s wedding and she wants the same. In the end, it is all a waste of time and money but we are the ones who pay the price.”
