Gêşbîn Nebo is from Kobanê and lives in Raqqa. She is 19 years old. She sings since she was 7, but started her artistic career as a painter with the support of her teachers, friends and family. She can’t, however, give up music, and so she decided to continue both artistic careers together.

Speaking to ANF, Gêşbîn Nebo said that she started singing when she was at primary school: “I was 7 years old. I had just started school. I actually started singing to my school friends and I liked that. Both my friends and teachers supported me in singing. They would gather around me when I sang. When I came to Raqqa, I started drawing. But I also decided to continue singing. Currently, I am both a painter and a singer. On the other hand, I am studying English translation."

I encourage others to make art

Nebo said: "I am always looking for beautiful voices. I encourage those who are inclined to sing to join a music band. And if their voice is not that good, I try to encourage them to apply to other branches of art."

Overcoming social pressure

Drawing attention to the pressure of society on female artists, the young singer said: "Society's perspective on women, rather than the pressures of my close circle, was quite challenging, but I overcame these pressures. Society thinks that women belong to the kitchen and are responsible for taking care of children. Most people in society never thought that an artist could be born from a woman. Women’s involvement in art was considered shameful. Until now, the pressures of a reactionary society have been directed at women, but with the Rojava Revolution, attempts are being made to break that sexist social perspective. Women can show their talents more easily than before."

The Islamic State paralysed art

Nebo underlined that the pressure on women increased significantly after ISIS occupied Raqqa, and added: "With ISIS, the pressure on society and women increased. We couldn't even say that we were Kurds. Artists could not exhibit their works. They were secretly singing songs, drawing pictures, and writing their poems and novels in their houses. Our talents remained hidden."

A multilingual singer

Gêşbîn Nebo sings in Kurdish, Arabic and English, and said: "The people in Raqqa exhibit, develop and share their arts together. A new social life is being created. Women should get more involved in culture. Each woman has different abilities. They should not hide these abilities. Women exhibiting their art means further developing Northern and Eastern Syria."