Language Note
This song comes from Morocco and uses Moroccan Arabic. As a result of French influence, Moroccan Arabic is very different and, at times, inaccessible to speakers of other forms of Arabic.
When presenting this song to students, it would be better to describe it as "Moroccan" instead of "Arabic" to avoid cultural disambiguation.
I have attempted to check aspects of this song and language with my Arabic speaking and culturally Arabic university students.
Activity
This is a action song (similar to Atta Katta Moeva) that does not require standing or walking. Teach the students the following moves. Increase and decrease speed for fun and comedic effect.
| Lyrics | Moves |
|---|---|
| A Ram Sam Sam | Clasp your hands together, rotate back and forth |
| Guli Guli Guli Guli Guli Ram Sam Sam | Roll arms forward |
| A rafiq, a rafiq | Mime sleeping. Hands on one side, then the other |
| Guli Guli Guli Guli Guli Ram Sam Sam | Roll arms forward |
Extension
The song can be sung as a round as well. A new entrance starts every 4 beats/2 measures.
Authenticity Note
My movements for “A Rafiq” may differ than other publications. A few years ago, I had a first grader move to my class directly from Morocco. I just happened to be teaching this song on her first day. To see the light in her eyes at recognizing something in a strange, new place was wonderful to see.
This child did the sleeping move during the A Rafiq lyrics. I had been doing a sort of 2 hand chop prior. I have since changed to match her authentically provided movements.