There is a new hit song being sung from one end of the GCC to the other. It’s called Moiyah Moiyah. (Moiyah – phonetic pronunciation – is the Arabic word for water). It seems that a Kuwaiti singer was in Jeddah idling at a traffic light when a young girl (likely an illegal umrah overstayer) approached his car carrying a bottle of water in each hand. As she got closer she chanted to him in a sing-song melodic voice “Moiyah moiyah, moiyah barid.” (barid means cold so she was telling him she had cold water). He initially just waved her away but then realized the words and tune she used were sticking in his mind. So he turns around and goes back to where she is, motioning her over. She comes right back singing her tune hoping for a sale. The Kuwaiti however kept having her repeat her words and the tune over and over. Once he was satisfied he then gives her a ten riyal note and tells her to keep her cold water. He makes his way back to Kuwait continuing to work on the words to a complete song. He also enlisted the help of another Kuwaiti. And as the final piece when they were missing some of the last refrains, they called in a Saudi friend to help them complete the tune too. Ultimately a song emerges about cold water with a catch tune. Verses continue about how the man’s love makes him so hot that he must have this cold water to cool off. But the refrain that repeats throughout the song is “Moiyah Moiyah, Moiyah Barid” and everyone who hears the song seems to find themselves carrying the refrain along with them in their mind. Even at my own dinner table when I ask if anyone wants cold water, my husband will start singing the refrain to the song. Amazing what a little street vendor trying to make enough wages for food for the day ultimately created with her sales jingle…
Filed under: Charity, Entertainment, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, travel, Uncategorized
interesting. so where could I hear this song?
I’ve been trying to find it on the net but without success yet. Some folks have had it on their phones here.
Now the really interesting part of this story would be if he went back and gave the water girl…his inspiration and obviously in need….a hand up for allowing him to write a hit song…if only…sigh. Sounds like a good afternoon special to me. (anyone remember those from our childhood…lol)
no….afraid that did not happen. But it would certainly be nice. Chances are she probably has no clue of what has happened and still out there begging.
I agree with coolred and was surprised that he didn’t give the girl even more money than the 10sr note since he was going to use her material/tune, or perhaps a job to help her start over. I hope that if this song makes him any real money, he will go back and find her and pay her what she deserves.
I realize we are only speculating here but perhaps he did not know or realize whether the jingle would ever come to fruition and become a song? I do not like to be a pessimist but chances are she’s just another faceless beggar and will unlikely be found or known.
I hope I can get a link soon to the song though!
The first thing that came out of Google on “moiyah moiyah” was this very blog entry!
ASA,
You know if that happened in the states the water lady would be rich now. She would have sued him and won her share of the songs profits.
Sounds nice ;D
I wanna hear it as well. You guys have a good time while passing the water
That’s funny Firdaus! I also tried looking on youtube but no such luck yet to find it.
Welcome Living life! I agree with you that in the States she’d likely learn about it and get her rewards. Maybe now though if someone else is in Jeddah and an African beggar girl taps on their window singing her little jingle they’ll know who she is and want to help her.
Thanks for your comment, hissweetheart.
although I havent heard this song its reminding me of a russian singer called vitas. the tune to his song “blessed guru” is catchy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NswtrUqNPFo
Thanks, David.
I was surprised and pleased to learn Reuters picked up this post!
http://www.reuters.com/article/blogBurst/technology?bbPostId=B6kcqoGH9Pf8Bzn7nRZ5sNNoCz7Als4UY5c03BzM9p7eHAapD