Lullabies of Iraqi Jews

Abstract

UDAEO-IRAQI folklore is full of many lullabies which were transmitted orally generation after generation. Twenty-five years ago these lullabies began to disappear, owing to the emigration of Iraqi Jews to Israel. It is also interesting to note that in Iraq itself these lullabies began to disappear recently, chiefly because of the influence of television and radio. These simple songs have much charm, especially because of the fact that they express the thoughts and feelings of the people more than any other songs. These lullabies do not reflect the children's feelings, but rather the feelings of those who live with them and influence them. These songs show us that although their purpose is to induce sleep for the child through their melodies, the songs express the mother's feelings for her dear son and her fear of strangers who might hurt him. While singing, the mother would sit on the floor or on a couch near the cradle and in her hand would hold a rope tied to the cradle. She would sing to her child according to the rhythm of the lullabies.