Create account

UNESCO representative list

Iraqi Maqam

Le maqâm iraquien

Source SupportedContext Required1 supporting sources

Overview

Widely recognized as Iraq’s predominant classical music tradition, the Maqam encompasses a vast repertory of songs, accompanied by traditional instruments. Moreover, this popular genre provides a wealth of information on the musical history of the region and the Arab influences that have held sway over the centuries. The Iraqi Maqam is closely linked, in structure and instrumentation, to the family of traditional musical forms practiced in Iran, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The Iraqi Maqam embraces numerous genres and primary melodic modes. It features improvisational vocal segments that sometimes use metric accompaniment and often lead to a medley of strophic songs. The skilful improvisation of the lead vocalist (qari’) creates an intricate interplay with the orchestra (tshalghi) that provides accompaniment throughout the performance. Typical instruments include the board cither santur,...

This record is imported from the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage public dataset as discovery metadata. ARED has not independently verified community authority, access protocols or local naming beyond the source record.

Community and Authority

Communities
Iraq
Languages
Not specified in UNESCO dataset
Cultural territories
Iraq
Countries
Iraq

How the System Works

Widely recognized as Iraq’s predominant classical music tradition, the Maqam encompasses a vast repertory of songs, accompanied by traditional instruments. Moreover, this popular genre provides a wealth of information on the musical history of the region and the Arab influences that have held sway over the centuries. The Iraqi Maqam is...

Sources and Evidence

Imported from UNESCO DataHub dataset ich001. Field-level provenance is retained in the record metadata.

Open original source record

Field-Level Provenance

title
UNESCO DataHub field title_en
preferredTitle
UNESCO DataHub field title_fr
summary
UNESCO DataHub field description_en
type
UNESCO DataHub fields type_of_element_en and type_acronym
countries
UNESCO DataHub field countries, ISO codes resolved with ISO-3166 regional metadata
categories
ARED category inference from UNESCO concepts_primary_names, concepts_secondary_names and title
relationships
UNESCO concepts_primary_names, concepts_secondary_names, type fields and World Heritage links
sourceUrl
UNESCO DataHub field http_url_en
rights
UNESCO DataHub dataset metadata license and license_url

Original Source Metadata

Why This Record Is Credible

This public record is connected to 1 source and has been labelled Source Supported. ARED separates evidence sources from cultural authority so users can see both provenance and review limits.

Cultural Access

Use this as public discovery metadata only. It does not replace community authority or local access protocols.

Relationships

Review and Corrections

If this record misstates authority, access, naming, language, source context or community preference, please request a review.

Suggest correction
NewExplore Global Knowledge Systems
Display
Make yourself comfortable
Language
Latest newsClose
In the news

Heritage, design and Global South stories from established outlets.