Omani Song Al Khair Jai by Al-Salt Al-Siyabi

A few days ago, a song called Jai Al Khair (الخير جاي) was shared on Twitter that caught my attention:


“A very fine example of musical fusion in contemporary Omani Pop Culture. Listen carefully, the musical references are clearly audible. A breath of 100% Omani freshness in the musical landscape of the Gulf.” @Maho_Sebiane

The song was released on Oman’s National Day, November 18. It’s by the theatre actor and director Al Salt Al Siyabi / الصلت السيابي, who has a big following on Tik Tok and Instagram, where he shares lots original videos made by him.

The Arabic phrase الخير جاي / jai al khair means good things are coming. I found it has a hashtag #جاي_الخير on Twitter in posts about unemployment and unstable economic conditions in Oman, and also used used in two different ways, to express sarcasm or to express hope and wishing for good things/positive changes.

So the song is using a known phrase by the Omani population, and whilst it’s not a direct protest song, it’s a call to support the working class and artists, and to be positive, hopeful, expect goodness.

It’s a catchy song that is a far cry from the national songs we normally hear and see from this region.

 

Below are two videos in Arabic language only, about the song and about Al Salt Al Siyabi.

A small consolation for non-Arabic speakers, you can read here a recent English language article featuring Al Salt Al Siyabi about his award winning theatrical troupe at the 15th Tangier International University Theater Festival.

A radio interview with Al Salt Al Siyabi about the song.

 

An interview with Al Salt Al Siyabi talking about his career as an actor and his rise on social media.

 
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