Sufism takes centre stage at Toronto music festival [old news]
By Catherine Kustanczi-Johnson, CBCUnlocked
Updated: Sep 30, 2005, 08:55
Say the word "Sufi" in most Western social circles, and you'll probably be greeted with blank stares.
There may be a few nods of recognition from those who own Coleman Barks' translations of Sufism's most famous poet, Jalal Al-Din Rumi. Certainly, Rumi's been the most openly embraced Sufi in Western culture, thanks in large part to Barks' works.
Still, there remains much the West is in the dark about when it comes to Sufism, Islam, the art of ecstasy, and convening with the Divine.
How to translate that into music? The Small World Music Festival has a few ideas. The festival is presenting two artists this weekend with interesting connections to the Islamic-based mystical tradition.
Nawal, a native of the Comoros Islands (off the Eastern coast of Africa in the Indian ocean), is a descendant of the grand Sufi holy man, El-Maarouf. She's received much international acclaim for mixing traditional instrumentation with Arab rhythms, and Sufi chants, all the while confronting social and spiritual issues with equal zeal.
Perhaps what makes Nawal especially unique is her position as a Muslim Comoran woman, making a name for herself in the international community. She hasn't lost sight of her traditions, but she's wide open to future possibilities as well, as she proves on her first release, "Kweli" ("Truth"), which she'll be performing songs from Saturday night at the Lula Lounge in Toronto. As if to further that path of innovation, she's composing music for "Sahel Opera", set to premiere in Mali next year.
Sidi Goma plays Toronto's Small World Music Festival, Oct. 1
While Nawal mixes new with old, Sidi Goma revel in its own fascinating Sufi traditions.
The 12-piece band brings its Indo-African rhythms to the Al Green Theatre Sunday night. Along with that comes a fascinating insight into a history virtually unknown in the West and a unique musical experience.
Sidi Goma can trace its roots back to the East African people who originally arrived in Gujarat, India, as sailors, soldiers, and slaves, eight centuries ago. The "Black Sidis," as they came to be known, maintained their Sufi roots and beliefs while adapting to their new Indian surroundings.
As a result, Sidi Goma weaves together Indian-influenced African movement, instruments, rhythms and lyrics with Sufi songs and rituals (such as the qawwalis Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan popularized before his death) into what one can only describe as an inimitable musical tapestry of utterly unique proportions.
Composed of four lead musicians and eight dancers, Sidi Goma presents what it describes as the music of its ancestors. Performing to critical acclaim at WOMEX in 2003, the group has since gone on to tour India with its show, "The Remembered Rhythms." This is its first time in Canada, and the program promises to present an overview of Sidi ritual performance, from the traditional call to prayer, to various percussive solos and dances as well as seated songs.
Nawal performs at Lula Lounge on Saturday, October 1st, 8pm. Sidi Goma performs at the Al Green Theatre on Sunday, October 2nd, 8pm.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
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Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Sufism takes centre stage at Toronto music festival
Sufism takes centre stage at Toronto music festival [old news]
By Catherine Kustanczi-Johnson, CBCUnlocked
Updated: Sep 30, 2005, 08:55
Say the word "Sufi" in most Western social circles, and you'll probably be greeted with blank stares.
There may be a few nods of recognition from those who own Coleman Barks' translations of Sufism's most famous poet, Jalal Al-Din Rumi. Certainly, Rumi's been the most openly embraced Sufi in Western culture, thanks in large part to Barks' works.
Still, there remains much the West is in the dark about when it comes to Sufism, Islam, the art of ecstasy, and convening with the Divine.
How to translate that into music? The Small World Music Festival has a few ideas. The festival is presenting two artists this weekend with interesting connections to the Islamic-based mystical tradition.
Nawal, a native of the Comoros Islands (off the Eastern coast of Africa in the Indian ocean), is a descendant of the grand Sufi holy man, El-Maarouf. She's received much international acclaim for mixing traditional instrumentation with Arab rhythms, and Sufi chants, all the while confronting social and spiritual issues with equal zeal.
Perhaps what makes Nawal especially unique is her position as a Muslim Comoran woman, making a name for herself in the international community. She hasn't lost sight of her traditions, but she's wide open to future possibilities as well, as she proves on her first release, "Kweli" ("Truth"), which she'll be performing songs from Saturday night at the Lula Lounge in Toronto. As if to further that path of innovation, she's composing music for "Sahel Opera", set to premiere in Mali next year.
Sidi Goma plays Toronto's Small World Music Festival, Oct. 1
While Nawal mixes new with old, Sidi Goma revel in its own fascinating Sufi traditions.
The 12-piece band brings its Indo-African rhythms to the Al Green Theatre Sunday night. Along with that comes a fascinating insight into a history virtually unknown in the West and a unique musical experience.
Sidi Goma can trace its roots back to the East African people who originally arrived in Gujarat, India, as sailors, soldiers, and slaves, eight centuries ago. The "Black Sidis," as they came to be known, maintained their Sufi roots and beliefs while adapting to their new Indian surroundings.
As a result, Sidi Goma weaves together Indian-influenced African movement, instruments, rhythms and lyrics with Sufi songs and rituals (such as the qawwalis Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan popularized before his death) into what one can only describe as an inimitable musical tapestry of utterly unique proportions.
Composed of four lead musicians and eight dancers, Sidi Goma presents what it describes as the music of its ancestors. Performing to critical acclaim at WOMEX in 2003, the group has since gone on to tour India with its show, "The Remembered Rhythms." This is its first time in Canada, and the program promises to present an overview of Sidi ritual performance, from the traditional call to prayer, to various percussive solos and dances as well as seated songs.
Nawal performs at Lula Lounge on Saturday, October 1st, 8pm. Sidi Goma performs at the Al Green Theatre on Sunday, October 2nd, 8pm.
By Catherine Kustanczi-Johnson, CBCUnlocked
Updated: Sep 30, 2005, 08:55
Say the word "Sufi" in most Western social circles, and you'll probably be greeted with blank stares.
There may be a few nods of recognition from those who own Coleman Barks' translations of Sufism's most famous poet, Jalal Al-Din Rumi. Certainly, Rumi's been the most openly embraced Sufi in Western culture, thanks in large part to Barks' works.
Still, there remains much the West is in the dark about when it comes to Sufism, Islam, the art of ecstasy, and convening with the Divine.
How to translate that into music? The Small World Music Festival has a few ideas. The festival is presenting two artists this weekend with interesting connections to the Islamic-based mystical tradition.
Nawal, a native of the Comoros Islands (off the Eastern coast of Africa in the Indian ocean), is a descendant of the grand Sufi holy man, El-Maarouf. She's received much international acclaim for mixing traditional instrumentation with Arab rhythms, and Sufi chants, all the while confronting social and spiritual issues with equal zeal.
Perhaps what makes Nawal especially unique is her position as a Muslim Comoran woman, making a name for herself in the international community. She hasn't lost sight of her traditions, but she's wide open to future possibilities as well, as she proves on her first release, "Kweli" ("Truth"), which she'll be performing songs from Saturday night at the Lula Lounge in Toronto. As if to further that path of innovation, she's composing music for "Sahel Opera", set to premiere in Mali next year.
Sidi Goma plays Toronto's Small World Music Festival, Oct. 1
While Nawal mixes new with old, Sidi Goma revel in its own fascinating Sufi traditions.
The 12-piece band brings its Indo-African rhythms to the Al Green Theatre Sunday night. Along with that comes a fascinating insight into a history virtually unknown in the West and a unique musical experience.
Sidi Goma can trace its roots back to the East African people who originally arrived in Gujarat, India, as sailors, soldiers, and slaves, eight centuries ago. The "Black Sidis," as they came to be known, maintained their Sufi roots and beliefs while adapting to their new Indian surroundings.
As a result, Sidi Goma weaves together Indian-influenced African movement, instruments, rhythms and lyrics with Sufi songs and rituals (such as the qawwalis Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan popularized before his death) into what one can only describe as an inimitable musical tapestry of utterly unique proportions.
Composed of four lead musicians and eight dancers, Sidi Goma presents what it describes as the music of its ancestors. Performing to critical acclaim at WOMEX in 2003, the group has since gone on to tour India with its show, "The Remembered Rhythms." This is its first time in Canada, and the program promises to present an overview of Sidi ritual performance, from the traditional call to prayer, to various percussive solos and dances as well as seated songs.
Nawal performs at Lula Lounge on Saturday, October 1st, 8pm. Sidi Goma performs at the Al Green Theatre on Sunday, October 2nd, 8pm.
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