Barbara Walters chats with Forward Syria
Swaying between art and seduction
Discussing monetary policy with the man in charge
Where the earth screams in horror
09/09/2010 - Issue 43
Syrian Emos: More than just myths in society
by Suha Mustapha
With skinny bodies, oddly-combed hair, tight trousers and striped shirts, Syrian Emos are proving to the world they are not myth but indeed, a real phenomenon in Syrian society
Back in the 1990s, Heavy Metal and Hard Rock music were still generating waves throughout popular culture not only in the US but throughout the Middle East. In Syria, Metallica gripped young men and women, electrifying an entire generation with their first album, One. Admiring the group’s lead singer James Hetfield, young Syrians began to let their hair grow long and wild, raising eyebrows among Syrian elders who saw such a dress code as “devilish.” Pretty soon, Dark Metal and Gothic music became synonymous with Satan-worshiping—as far as an older generation of Syrians were concerned. Rock—any kind of rock—be it classic, slow, hard or heavy—slowly began to raise red-flags in Syrian society. Works of prominent artists like Scorpions, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Guns'N’Roses, and Deep Purple, were all banned in Syria.
Things changed drastically with advent of the third millennium; a communication boom accompanied by satellite TV and Internet invading Syrian society. All of a sudden, new ideas and trends began to infiltrate society, at every social level and in every age group—but mainly, the youth. The way they dressed, the language they spoke, and greater acceptance of change from society at large, all made this generation stand out as different from those that preceded it.
One of the novelties in Syrian culture, as a result of this social revolution, is the Syrian Emo. This community, revolved around young Syrians aged 14-17, brings people together regardless of their social background, who are all dedicated to a particular form of Western music. A visitor of the Emo's website will receive a warning message not to intrude if he/she is not an Emo themselves. The website is full of photos and names of modern bands, such as Bullet 4 My Valentine, that mingle Rock and Alternative musical genres, in addition to other groups like Baby Rock, Korn, and Evanescence. It is very difficult however, to find a clear-cut definition for the word Emo—even on the group’s own website—but according to most people we spoke with it is short for “Emotional.”
One of the first characteristics that make this community stand out is its member’s dress code. Emos usually dress in striped shirts and are divided into two groups. One wears black & white colors and listens to Metal music. The second group also listens to Metal but wears different colors yet a unified hairdo.
Noticeable about Syrian Emos is that they are ignorant of the intellectual currents that accompanied the major western musical trends, from the Vietnam War onto collapse of the Berlin Wall. Roland, who owns a shop for musical albums in the port city of Latakia, defines Syrian Emos as yet another phenomenon invading Syrian society. His perception of this group makes Roland hesitate before selling albums to members of the Syrian Emo community. “What is happening today,” he explains, “is mere imitation of the West and of singers who follow an abnormal lifestyle.” He adds, “Weird-looking people show up at my show, totally ignorant of what Metal music is all about, ask for Gothic or Black Metal CDs. It is not appreciation for this musical genre, but rather, a need for belonging—a need to compete with their mates about identity.”
Emo culture, however, is not exclusive to Syria or other places in the Arab World. It has spread like forest fire among teens in Latin America, Japan, Great Britain, and of course, the Middle East. It is mainly associated with loud, sad music, topped with uncommon words and tunes. Syrian Emos stand are introvert, like most of their peers, championing isolationism and alienation from society at large. The truth about them, nevertheless, has become indeed very blurred, attracting some because of the mysticism and scaring many away because all of what is said about their dabbling with suicide, sex and drugs. What best sums them up is, “Revolutionary teenagers with sensitive psyches.”
