Vol de mélodies ou mécanismes d’emprunt ?

Melody looting or mechanism of exchange ? A story of musical crossovers between Yemen and the Gulf It is often claimed that the Yemeni musical heritage has been looted by contemporary singers and musicians of the Gulf. However, the history of relations between Yemen, especially Hadramawt, and various cities of the Gulf, Bahrain and Kuwait is complex. The article focuses on the urban musical style called sawt, which appeared in Bahrain and Kuwait at the end of the 18th century, and illustrates the complex historic relationship between different areas in the region. From the 17th century onwards to the beginning of the 20th century, Yemeni music has continued to influence poets and musicians of the Gulf due to emigration towards the Indian sub-continent. This area is thus a cultural melting pot for all regions of the Arabian Peninsula. Only the recent establishment of national identities transformed these natural transfers into a "looting of tradition.&#34