Tunisian Musician Zed Mei Revives Malouf Music with Oud for New Generations

The Oud and Malouf Music

• 🎶 Zed Mei, a musician playing since age 12, has opened a loot school in the Medina of Tunis to teach a new generation.
• 💡 He specializes in teaching Malouf, a musical genre linked to the region's Arab Andalusian past.
• 🎻 The Malouf music is played on a special four-string oud, distinct from the six-string Oriental styles, creating a unique sound.

Preserving Cultural Heritage

• 📚 Zed Mei is committed to teaching the Malouf and its repertoire, as it is less commonly taught in conservatories compared to the Oriental oud.
• 🗣️ Much of the Malouf tradition is passed down orally by masters, rather than through written sheet music.
• 🎯 Zed Mei hopes that through new students and dedicated work, a generation will emerge to play this music, preserving it as a cultural heritage.

The Loot House Experience

• 🏠 The Loot House in Tunis serves as a hub for learning and experiencing this musical tradition.
• ✨ Attendees describe the atmosphere and sound as an experience deeply connected to childhood memories, history, upbringing, and identity.
• 🌱 The school also teaches children to play the oud, actively working to prevent this heritage from disappearing.