Sounds of Salaam: Music from Distant Lands

Enjoy sounds of Asia and the Middle East – music that has been shaped over centuries by amazingly vibrant and distinct musical traditions. 

A women’s-only space will be provided above Cloisters Studio. Open all day for those women who wish to use it.

Programme

12.15pm | INTRODUCTION: SAMA MOUNIB MYERS

12.20–12.30pm | SOUNDS OF YOUTH (10 mins)

Simurgh Youth brings together young musicians from Middle Eastern backgrounds to discover, learn and celebrate the music of their homelands. Participating in the group offers young people an opportunity to connect with their cultural heritage, explore the sounds and traditions of their families, and develop a deeper appreciation of where they come from.

12.55–1.05pm | SOUNDS OF KAZAKHSTAN (10 mins)

Kazakh songs and dance, both traditional and modern, will be performed by the first and only Kazakh performance group in Aotearoa. This performance will be led Madina Pitt who is a Christchurch-based professional musician and Kazakh cultural performer. She brings the rich musical traditions of Kazakhstan to audiences through soulful vocals, traditional songs and instrumental performance. Performing with a Kazakh ensemble, Madina will share much-loved Kazakh melodies and rhythms, inviting audiences to experience the warmth and spirit of Kazakh culture. 

1.13pm | CALL TO PRAYER: ZUHR

1.20–2.00pm | NOOR ENSEMBLE (40 mins)

This cross-cultural ensemble incorporates Middle Eastern and South Asian rhythmic patterns and melodies to create an exciting jazz fusion style.

2.20–2.50pm | SOUNDS OF AFGHANISTAN (30 mins)

Singer and harmonium player Navid Masher leads a performance of popular traditional folk songs widely known across Afghanistan. Joined by guest musicians on rubab and tabla, the trio will perform a selection of lively, upbeat tunes sung in the Farsi and Pashto languages.

3.15–4.00pm | SOUNDS OF PERSIA: SIMURGH (45 mins)

This performance features traditional music from across Iran, performed by Simurgh music group. Led by multi-instrumentalist and singer Esmail Fathi, the ensemble will showcase traditional instruments including the daf, tonbak, tar, setar, oud, violin and ney. For this year’s programme, the group has selected a meaningful repertoire of songs centered around themes of peace, unity, compassion and hope for the people of Iran.

4.20–5.05pm | SOUNDS OF ARABIA (45 mins)

This performance features a selection of nasheeds (Islamic devotional songs) alongside popular Arabic folk and classical songs. The ensemble is led by Moroccan singer Abdelilah Rharrabti, a familiar voice who frequently leads the athan (call to prayer) at Christchurch's Al Noor Mosque, and Syrian singer Modar Nakshbandi. They are accompanied by traditional instruments, including the oud, riq, darbuka, ney, and saz.

5.07pm | CALL TO PRAYER: ASR

5.30–6.30pm | SOUNDS OF INDIA (60 mins)

Qawwali is a form of devotional music that expresses the mystical Sufi practice of Islam in the Indian subcontinent, originating in areas surrounding Punjab in Northern India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This performance is led by seasoned vocalist Waris Rajput and an ensemble of powerful singers & instrumentalists. Together, they perform timeless Qawwali pieces made famous by the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Workshops

11.30am–12.30pm | SOUNDS OF THE DRUM (Cloisters Studio)

Pay what you can, book here.

In this women-only class, join Tamara Smith (Djembe) and Maryam Nejat (Daf) in a percussion workshop to explore rhythms, sounds and playing together. This workshop is led by Tamara Smith. Tamara is a teacher, as well as a renowned flautist, percussionist, composer, dancer, and band leader of world-music collective Mundi. She will also be performing on the programme with the Noor Ensemble.

Maryam is a medical doctor by profession, and outside of work loves music and enjoys playing the daf (a traditional Persian percussion instrument) which helps her unwind and escape the stresses of daily life. She also enjoys pressing flowers and creating botanical art as a creative hobby.

Drums provided.

1.30–2.30pm | KAZAKH FOLK DANCE (Cloisters Studio)

Pay what you can, book here.

In this women-only class, join Madina Pitt who is a Christchurch-based professional musician. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with Kazakhstan’s vibrant traditional dance traditions.

3.00–4.30pm | RAQS SHARQI/EGYPTIAN BELLY DANCING (Cloisters Studio)

Pay what you can, book here.

In this women-only class, participants will explore a famous Egyptian song using some classic steps, find out more about Egyptian culture, and enjoy the opportunity to connect and express themselves through joyful dance. This workshop is brought to you by Brigid Kelly and Sandra Wasef from Ya Leily Belly Dance Club.

Brigid Kelly grew up in Otautahi Christchurch and has studied Egyptian dance from experts around the world for many years. Sandra Wasef grew up steeped in Egyptian music and culture in Giza, Egypt, and has previously

Thank you to the Ministry of Ethnic Communities and the Christchurch Casino Charitable Community Trust for funding support.