Janan Sawa (born 1956 in

Dohuk Duhok ( ku, دهۆک, translit=Dihok; ar, دهوك, Dahūk; syr, ܒܝܬ ܢܘܗܕܪܐ, Beth Nohadra) is a city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It's the capital city of Duhok Governorate. History The city's origin dates back to the Sto ...

Iraq Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and K ...

) ( syr, ܔܢܐܢ ܒܒܐ ܣܒ݂ܐ) is an Assyrian musician who is noted for making

Assyrian folk dance Assyrian folk dances are sets of dances that are performed throughout the world by Assyrians, mostly on occasions such as weddings, community parties and other jubilant events. Assyrian folk dances are mainly made up of circle dances like ball ...

. Janan started singing in 1972, at the age of 17. Janan has performed throughout the world, and has visited his hometown of Duhok in

on many occasions.

Biography

In 1975, Janan's father forced him to marry. He spent 4 years in the Iraqi army, from 1974 to 1978. In 1980, Janan fled

and settled in

Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders ...

for 2 years. He finally left for the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

in 1982, where he remains a resident. After arriving in the U.S., Janan worked as a

taxicab driver A taxi, also known as a taxicab or simply a cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice ...

for 2 years. In 1984, he was hired by a restaurant to sing on a nightly basis. In 1985, he recorded his first studio album, named "Nohadra", the Assyrian name for his hometown, Dohuk. The album ultimately established his professional singing career, and until this date Janan has released over 25 albums and recorded close to 200 songs. During his time in Dohuk, Janan would sing on regular occasions such as picnics and family events. Janan has also appeared and performed live on music television programs in Iraq.

Style

Janan's musical style is influenced by Assyrian/Syriac village folklore.

Personal life

Janan has married three times and has since been divorced. He has two daughters with his two of his ex-wives. He got engaged in 2018 and he currently resides in

Michigan Michigan () is a U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the List of U.S. states and ...

. His brother, Esam Sawa, is also a singer.

Discography

*1985 - Nohadra *1986 - Tamboree *1986 - Zamareh *1987 - Yema *1988 - Sayada *1989 - Jwanka D'Hakkari *1990 - Lawando *1991 - Kirkuk *1992 - Ana Ewan Beth Nahrin *1993 - Zowaa *1994 - Kha B'Nisan *1995 - Shara D'Ninwahyeh *1996 - Mix of Janan Sawa *1997 - Nahrin *1998 - Broony *2001 - Shtwaher Ya Yema *2002 - Bderen L'Nohadra *2002 - Lenwa Ana *2004 - Qinate Min Atra *2005 - Hekle Tlekhe *2006 - Zorna Dahola *2006 - Kholma Sharira *2008 - Ishtar *2011 - Zamrin B'Khobakh *2012 - Atta *2013 - Bayenna

External links

Songs of AssyriaQeenatha: Janan SawaPhoenix Production: Janan Sawa

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sawa, Janan 1956 births Living people 21st-century Iraqi male singers Assyrian musicians Chaldean Catholics Iraqi Eastern Catholics Iraqi emigrants to the United States 20th-century Iraqi male singers Syriac-language singers People from Duhok