Algiers – Abdelkader Khaldi, a celebrated figure in Oranian Bedouin music, passed away on Monday in Mostaganem after a long battle with illness. He was 67 years old, according to his family.
A Legacy of Bedouin Music
Born in Mostaganem, Khaldi rose to prominence in the late 1980s, becoming a defining voice of Oranian Bedouin music. His renditions of Malhoun poetry and his songwriting talent solidified his position in Algeria’s artistic landscape.
Khaldi’s career began with his participation in the popular Algerian show Alhane wa Chabab. Gradually, he established himself as a pioneer in modernizing traditional Bedouin music, blending its authentic sounds with contemporary elements. Collaborating with artists like Blaoui El Houari, Ahmed Saber, and Ben Zarga, Khaldi helped transform the genre from its reliance on traditional instruments like the qassaba and galal to a more modern style.
Contributions to Algerian Culture
Khaldi was a familiar face on Algerian television and performed at numerous national festivals. His songs, including “Yama Ya Bouya,” “Bouya Kirani,” “Jar El Hem,” “Ya Habibi Baghi Nwaseek,” “Kassdinkoum L’dar,” and “Chhal Sabart,” remain etched in the hearts of his fans, exemplifying the soulful and poetic nature of Bedouin music.
Mourning a Cultural Icon
Khaldi’s passing marks the end of an era for Oranian Bedouin music. Fans and fellow artists mourn the loss of an innovator who modernized and popularized an authentic Algerian genre while remaining deeply rooted in its traditions.
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Author: Nor-Eleslam
Keyphrase: Abdelkader Khaldi, Oranian Bedouin music, Algerian cultural icon, Bedouin song legacy
