In 2022, I embarked on learning to play two traditional drums used in the folk music of my hometown of Basra in southern Iraq. One is known as the “khishba,” with its music termed “Khashaba,” and the “maruwas” used in “al-Bahr” music. I took drumming lessons from Black Arab musicians, learning about the history and practical skills which I brought back to my music group in Mississauga, Ont.
The history of Black people in the Arab region is often told through the narrative of slavery. More recently, their cultural contributions to the region’s heritage have come more into the spotlight. Telling the history of slavery and oppression is important. However, focusing on it alone does not tell the full story of resilience and peoplehood.
Music, like other facets of culture, provides a window into the histories and heritage of different regions and peoples. Historical narratives of slavery often present Black Arabs as passive subjects in the slave trade, but studying their musical traditions makes clear their agency in telling their own story.
