The oud is one of the oldest instruments in the world. It is shaped a bit like a big teardrop and has many strings. In twarab, the oud player often leads the melody, and the violin adds a sweet singing sound on top. Together they create a gentle, swaying music that Comorians love to listen to at evening gatherings, wedding celebrations, and community events.
The word 'twarab' is related to the Arabic word for 'joy' or 'being moved by music'. The songs are often about love, the beauty of nature, and appreciation for life on the islands. The poetry in twarab songs is considered an art form in itself - good twarab poetry is admired just like good painting or sculpture.
Children in Comoros grow up hearing twarab at family celebrations. Some learn to play the oud or violin from a young age. The music connects Comoros to a wider Indian Ocean world - similar styles of music exist in Zanzibar, the Swahili coast, and the Arabian Peninsula, showing how the ocean was once a great road connecting many cultures.