SAFAAFIR

SAFAAFIR IRAQI MAQAM ENSEMBLE
IRAQI CULTURAL CENTER
1630 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, NW
OPENING CONCERT OF THE SEASON
OCTOBER 1, 2010 AT 7:30 PM- $75/reception

Inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Maqam is the classical vocal tradition of Iraq, and one of the most refined maqam traditions in the Arab and Muslim world. Found primarily in the cities of Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Basra, the maqam repertoire draws upon musical styles of the many populations in Iraq, such as the Bedouins, rural Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen as well as neighboring Persians, Turks, and other populations that have had extensive contact with Iraq throughout history. The use of the word "maqam" in Iraq is distinct from its use in neighboring lands, where the term refers to a musical mode on which compositions and improvisations are based. In Iraq, "maqam" refers to the actual compositions, which are highly structured, semi-improvised melodic recitations of Classical Arabic and colloquial Iraqi poetry, that are followed by light-hearted, rhythmic songs, known as pestaat. Typically, the maqam is performed by a singer ("qari’), who is accompanied by an ensemble, known as a Chalghi, which consists of the santour (96-string hammered dulcimer), jowza (bowed spike fiddle), riqq (tambourine), and dumbek (goblet drum).

Until the 20th century, the maqam was ubiquitous in the urban centers of modern-day Iraq, its melodies heard in various settings, religious and secular. Today, there are very few keeping this musical tradition alive. Safaafir is one of the few Chalghi ensembles in the world, and the only Chalghi ensemble in the US that is actively performing the maqam. They have performed extensively around the US at Iraqi gatherings as well as for American and Arab audiences. For this performance, Safaafir will focus on the urban maqam, as well as some of the folk and rural songs found throughout the rest of the country.

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