Palestinian Music, Jazz and Tarab Explained | Nai Barghouti

Nai Barghouti - Palestinian singer, flutist and composer discovered the power of her voice at age four, when the occupation forces moved into her building during the Second Intifada. Since then, Nai uses music as a form of defiance and identity. 

In this episode, she shares how legendary artists like Umm Kulthum, Fairuz and Ziad Rahbani shaped her sound and how she re-imagines Palestinian folklore through a unique fusion of jazz, blues and tarab styles. 

She explains her signature vocal technique, “Naistrumentation,” a style where the voice itself becomes an instrument — blending scat-inspired jazz vocalization, Arabic ornamentation, and Palestinian heritage. Expect discussion of her journey, creative collaborations, cultural roots and how music becomes resistance.

This episode is hosted and produced by Tala Elissa. Our executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Our associate producer is Zeena Shehadeh. Social media by Leen Karadsheh. Research and copywriting by Dima Sharif. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. 

This conversation was recorded on November 24, 2025. You can watch it on Youtube here. 

Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists, including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, culinary practitioners and more about their very own Palestine.  

In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. 

Follow us on @tarwidapodcast

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Relevant links and Resources: 

• Follow Nai Barghouti on Instagram (@naibarghoutiofficial)
• Listen to more of Nai’s music (Spotify, YouTube, Apple)
• Read more about the connection between Islamic music and the blues here
• Listen to Nai on Curious Ears
• Learn more about Ziad Rahbani 
• Buy tickets for Together for Palestine on December 9th, 2025 in Paris

Music included:

• قَلْبي يُحَدِّثُني - ناي البرغوثي | Qalbi Yuhadithuni 
• Li Fairuz 
• Xena 
• If I Must Die - Poem by Refaat Alareer, music by Nai Barghouti
• Steps
• Athem of the Land 
• Inta Omry, originally by Umm Kulthum, performed by Nai Barghouti
• Sallimli Aleih, originally sung by Fairuz and composed by Ziad Rahbani, performed by Nai Barghouti
• “Badri Aleina” - written and composed by Jalal Nader from Palestine. Children choirs from Gaza, directed by Fouad Khader and Jaber Thabet - trained in part at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music (ESNCM) by Sheryn Zeidan.