Heritage Beats: Reviving Afro-Iraqi Culture

BASRA, Iraq – The rhythmic beats of traditional drums echo through the warm November air as the band Al-Masa start their performance, kicking off a two-day Afro-Iraqi cultural festival in Basra, southern Iraq. The performance introduces its guests to the rich, soulful melodies of Afro-Iraq folklore music — a tradition passed down through the generations and deeply rooted in the history of migration in the region.

Mishal Al-Ziyadi, 27-year-old founder and lead of the band, stands proudly at the center of the stage, as the audience moves to the beats of the music – music that he has rehearsed countless times and knows by heart.

Born and raised in the district of Al-Zubair, in the governorate of Basra, Mishal is a proud Afro-Iraqi. Though his childhood was marked by war, conflict, and often discrimination, he holds dear memories of his childhood: mud-brick houses of his close-knit neighborhood, traditional games in the courtyard, the joyful rhythm of Afro-Iraqi music, and the first time he held the traditional drum – tar.

Basra, where Mishal’s roots run deep, is home to descendants of immigrants and enslaved persons who arrived in the region from Eastern and Southern Africa, as early as the ninth century.  

“We learn our music by watching and listening to others. My father and my cousins used to play at weddings and gatherings. I started picking it up bit by bit just by observing,” Mishal explains his early passion for traditional drumming. Mishal also feels responsible to pass down his culture and traditions: “We involve the kids in family gatherings, and they love it. It’s in their blood,” he says with pride. He dreams of one day teaching his own children the music, culture and values of his heritage, ensuring that it lives on.

To realize this dream, Mishal founded Al-Masa, his own Afro-Iraqi folklore band, with five of his closest friends. “Creating a band isn’t just about forming a group,” he adds. “It requires genuine effort to uphold traditions and keep our legacy alive. I want everyone to see and value our culture for what it truly is”.

The journey wasn’t easy. Band members needed to learn the music from scratch, without any financial support, and had to source rare and expensive instruments from the Gulf. Despite the challenges, Mishal has always had support from his father – even today, Mishal asks him for feedback to improve his performance.

The recent Al Sika cultural festival in Basra, supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United States Embassy in Iraq, was especially meaningful for Mishal as it brought together more than 200 community members for the celebration of Afro-Iraqi art, culture and heritage. It’s rare that such events take place, and for Mishal, it was a chance to spotlight the Afro-Iraqi community’s contributions to Iraq’s cultural mosaic.

Dreaming about the future, Mishal envisions sharing the Afro-Iraqi folklore beyond Iraq, introducing it to audiences in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, where he sees cultural commonalities with other communities of African descendants. He also hopes for greater government and institutional support to preserve and promote his community’s heritage.

“More people need to learn about Afro-Iraqi culture – through festivals, weddings, and Ramadan gatherings,” he concludes. With each beat of the drum, Mishal continues to bridge the past and present, being a true ambassador of Afro-Iraqi culture.

IOM, in partnership with Durural civil society organization and with support from United States Embassy in Iraq, is implementing the Al Sika project to revitalize Afro-Iraqi cultural heritage and promote inter-community dialogue in Basra. It aims to address several challenges faced by the Afro-Iraqi community, such as social marginalization, low educational attainment, unemployment, and poverty by shedding light on their culture, raising community awareness, and supporting their social and cultural identity. The project seeks to enhance understanding of Afro-Iraqi cultural identity while promoting social inclusion and resilience within the community.