The MENA Chronicles: Iraqi Music

Iraqi Maqam is a genre of music in Iraq that encompasses the culture’s traditional, classical music. It consists of improvisation that follows a generic structure. This allows for a distinctive style that can be altered to fit each musician’s tastes and preferences. Every Maqam song I’ve heard is unique in its own way, while still being reminiscent of other Maqam songs. It often sounds playful to me, making me want to dance along to the complex melodies of the strings and rhythms of the percussion. However, many songs are still able to convey emotions of sadness, anger, and pain, even while remaining somewhat playful. Iraq’s Maqam reminds me somewhat of America’s jazz and blues genres. Structured improvisation is a key component of all three genres. The aforementioned ability to be playful while still conveying emotion is prevalent throughout jazz and blues, however the instruments used to do so are very different. Maqam uses the oud (a type of mandolin), violin, and/or a ...

“Aheba Kolesh” by Iraqi pop staar Waleed Al Shami is by far the most contemporary song I’ve heard from an Iraqi musician thus far. Everything from his dress to his musical style reminds me of American pop-stars, the principle difference simply being the language in which the songs are sung. Even the music video for “Aheb a Kolesh” reminded me of music videos produced in America. Watching the video and hearing the music was a friendly reminder to me of the innate similarities we share, despite our many differences and conflicts. After looking up an English translation to his song, I found that Waleed Al Shami was singing about many of the same things American pop music is known for. “Aheba Kolesh” is  about a deep love and affection for a woman, and her eventual rejection of that love.   As I’ve learned more and more about Iraq, I’ve come across more and more differences between Iraq and my own country. Subsequently, I’ve learned of the many conflicts between Ameri...

Today I read an article about a man named Rahim Alhaj, an Iraqi musician who is now trying to make a difference in the world. While living in Iraq, he openly spoke out against governmental policies he, along with many others, opposed. His outspokenness landed him in prison on two separate occasions. He finally fled Iraq in 1991, after being released from his second sentence. His music reflects the recent history of Iraq, including the U.S. occupation of the land. Most notably, his piece “Letters From Iraq” depict this story in a very personal, heart wrenching manner. “Letters From Iraq”, likely his most famous composition(s), was inspired by eight letters he received from those who were deeply connected to the conflicts in Iraq. By writing music that portrays these struggles, Alhaj feels he is able to spread awareness about both the political and military conflicts at work in his home country. After listening to some of the music myself, I can wholeheartedly say tha...

Salima Pasha Murad (1900-1974) is the first Iraqi musician I had ever encountered. She was famous throughout the Arab world in the middle to late 1900s; an impressive feat for a woman of that region and time period. Although Iraq was one of the most progressive -- in terms of gender roles and fairness -- Middle Eastern countries, it was nonetheless quite an accomplishment for a woman to receive such admiration. Additionally, the fact that her stardom reached out across neighboring, less progressive countries is even more impressive. Additionally, her Jewish faith could have held her back from achieving such spectacular recognition, especially during the Holocaust. Surprisingly, her music was not as popular in the Israeli world, but reached much of the Jewish population in Iraq. After listening to a few of her songs, I am not surprised by the fame she achieved during her lifetime. Her music is uniquely expressive, even without comprehending the lyrics she sings. Of the song...