Preserving Iraq’s Musical Heritage
Our Mission:
At its core, this project is deeply personal. I’m not only preserving the Maqam for the world, but also safeguarding it for my son, so he can hear the music of his ancestors and know where he comes from.
I’ve made it my mission to rekindle the Iraqi Maqam in the hearts and minds of a new generation especially among the children of the diaspora, the sons and daughters of immigrants growing up in the Western world. This tradition belongs to them too.
Farid Elias Mensi - Founder
Across the Arab world, maqam refers to specific melodic modes that form the foundation of traditional music. In a maqam performance, musicians improvise within a set of established rules, blending spontaneity with structure. Each maqam has its distinct mood, emotional expression, and characteristic melodic patterns.
Iraqi music, in particular, is known for its slow tempos, rhythmically free ornamentation, and frequent use of minor modes. Traditional instruments include the qanun, riq, santur, darbuka, naqareh, ney, djose, and oud. In Baghdad, Chalgi ensembles typically feature the djose and ney, often accompanied by the oud.
An Iraqi music ensemble led by Yusuf Za'arur in Baghdad, circa 1930. The musicians wear the traditional sidara, a symbol of national identity during the early 20th century.
Explore the Maqam,
Poetry and Culture
The Iraqi Maqam is more than music, it's a centuries old art form rooted in poetry, spirituality, and emotion.
With deep ties to Sufi mysticism and Arabic poetic forms, the Maqam is a living archive of Iraqi history and identity. Sung in Arabic each Maqam tells a story of longing, love, exile, and endurance.
This tradition has survived wars, displacement, and modernization. Today, we stand at a cultural crossroads: preserve it, or risk losing it forever.
Contact Us
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