Qalali Folk Band Wins 2025 Aga Khan Music Award in London

London, Nov. 23 : Qalali Folk Band has been awarded the 2025 Aga Khan Music Award during an official ceremony held at London’s Southbank Centre, in collaboration with the EFG London Jazz Festival. The event was attended by His Highness Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan and a distinguished group of international cultural and artistic figures, highlighting the global significance of the occasion.

This prestigious recognition stands as an international acknowledgement of Qalali Folk Band’s remarkable role in preserving and presenting Bahrain’s seafaring musical heritage in a contemporary and engaging form. The award honours the band’s decades-long dedication to safeguarding the traditional arts of Fjiri and Nahma, creatively revitalising them for global audiences. Their work draws deeply from the legacy of Bahrain’s early seafaring singers, particularly the renowned naham Salem Al Allan, whose artistic influence remains central to the band’s distinctive identity.

During the ceremony, Qalali Folk Band delivered a captivating performance of Bahri, one of the principal forms of Fjiri, embodying the enduring spirit of the naham whose voice once guided sailors through the challenges of the sea. The performance also featured additional segments of Fjiri accompanied by traditional drums, rhythmic clapping, and folk dance, authentically reflecting the essence of Bahrain’s maritime heritage. The event included performances by musical ensembles from West Africa, the Middle East, and the Eastern Mediterranean, further enriching the cultural experience.

Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), affirmed that this achievement represents a well-deserved international honour, reflecting Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to preserve and promote its musical heritage. He emphasised that the award strengthens Bahrain’s presence on the global cultural map and highlights the unique identity of its folk traditions on leading international platforms.

Saad Bu Jaffal, Head of Qalali Folk Band, expressed immense pride in receiving the award, describing it as the culmination of the band’s unwavering commitment to preserving Bahrain’s maritime heritage and ensuring it is passed on to future generations.

This achievement also aligns with UNESCO’s inscription of Fjiri on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, further underscoring Bahrain’s position as a leading guardian of Gulf musical traditions.

With a legacy spanning more than a century, Qalali Folk Band continues to champion Bahrain’s seafaring folk arts, delivering performances that reflect the nation’s cultural identity and securing a growing presence on the global stage.