Ahmed Fouad Negm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ahmad Fo'ad Negm
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Ahmad Fo'ad Negm
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Elfagumi |
| Born | 22 May 1929 Sharqia, Egypt |
| Died | 3 December 2013 (aged 84) Cairo, Egypt |
| Genres | Egyptian music |
| Occupation(s) | Vernacular poet |
| Instruments | Vocals, Oud |
Ahmad Fo'ad Negm (Arabic: أحمد فؤاد نجم; 22 May 1929 – 3 December 2013) was a famous Egyptian poet. People often called him Elfagumi. He was known for writing poems in everyday Egyptian Arabic.
Negm worked closely with the Egyptian composer Sheikh Imam. Together, they created many songs. His poems were often about his country and standing up for what he believed was right. Many people in Egypt saw him as a hero.
Early Life of Ahmad Fo'ad Negm
Ahmed Fouad Negm was born in a small village in Sharqia, north of Cairo, Egypt. His family were farmers. His mother, Hanem Morsi Negm, was a housewife. His father, Mohammed Ezat Negm, was a police officer. Ahmed was one of seventeen brothers.
Like many writers of his time, he went to religious schools. When he was six years old, his father passed away. He then went to live with his uncle Hussein in Zagazig.
In 1936, he was sent to an orphanage. There, he met the famous singer Abdel Halim Hafez. When he was 17, in 1945, he left the orphanage. He went back to his village to work as a shepherd.
Later, he moved to Cairo to live with his brother. But his brother eventually asked him to leave. So, Negm returned to his village again. He worked in English camps and secretly helped resistance groups.
After an agreement between Egypt and Britain, he left his job at the English camps. The Egyptian government then hired him to work in workshops. He spent some time in prison for a period. While in prison, he won a writing competition. He then published his first book of poems, called "Pictures from Life and Prison." He became famous after a writer named Suhair El-Alamawi introduced his book.
After he was released, he worked as a clerk for an organization that helped Asian and African people. He also became a regular poet on Egyptian radio.
Negm lived in a small room on a rooftop in Boulaq el-Dakror. He met singer and composer Sheikh Imam in the Khosh Adam neighborhood. They became roommates and formed a very famous musical duo. Negm was also put in prison many times because of his political views. He often criticized Egyptian presidents like Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, and Hosni Mubarak.
The Negm-Imam Duo
Ahmed Fouad Negm lived in the poorer parts of Cairo. This allowed him to meet many talented people. One of them was Sheikh Imam Eissa. Sheikh Imam became a very important partner for Negm.
In 1962, a friend introduced Negm to Imam. The friend thought that the poet Negm and the composer Imam would be a perfect team. Negm was amazed when he heard Imam sing and play the Oud. Imam, who was blind, also loved Negm's inspiring words. This meeting started a partnership that lasted for 30 years. Negm wrote the words, Imam composed the music, and they often sang together.
Negm quickly realized that Sheikh Imam was a hidden talent. Imam had great knowledge of Islamic culture and amazing musical skills. Because Imam was blind, he could use Negm's help with his eyes and words. So, Negm suggested that he move in with Imam. Negm left his old rented room and stayed with Sheikh Imam from 1962 until 1995.
Awards and Recognition
In 2007, the United Nations Poverty Action chose Negm as an Ambassador for the poor. This meant he would speak up for people who were struggling.
Ahmed Fouad Negm also won the 2013 Prince Claus Awards. He received this award for his strong honesty and standing up for his beliefs.
Death
Ahmed Fouad Negm passed away on 3 December 2013, in Cairo. He was 84 years old. He had been sick for some time. His funeral was held at Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo.
A book about him, called A Homeland Called Desire, was written by Egyptian poet Rana al-Tonsi.
See also
In Spanish: Ahmed Fouad Negm para niños
