Raļ
Raļ is a form of folk music, originated in Oran, Algeria by Bedouin shepherds, mixed with Spanish, French, African-American and Arabic musical forms.
In recent decades, a form of pop-oriented rai has become popular throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. At first, the tone of the music was peaceful, but before Algerian independence in 1962, people used it to protest to the French government. After independence came, Algeria tried to ban Rai.
Nowadays, Rai is used, especially by women, to protest against Islamic fundamentalists. The fundamentalists feel that the music is too western in style.
