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Macalla: Bridging Worlds Through Music
26 Jan
Summary
- Musicians from Ireland and Iraq formed the Macalla ensemble.
- The group fuses traditional Irish melodies with Iraqi music.
- Instruments like the Irish harp and Middle Eastern qanun feature.
The Macalla ensemble is creating a new cultural narrative by uniting musicians from Londonderry's North West Folk Collective and Iraq's Mshakht Collective. This cross-cultural collaboration, three years in the making, recently captivated audiences at Celtic Connections, a major international folk and world music festival. The group's performances highlight traditional instruments that have endured through periods of displacement and conflict.
Led by composer and bouzouki player Martin Coyle, Macalla means 'echo' in Irish, reflecting the ensemble's aim to mirror instrumentation across their diverse musical traditions. Their repertoire often features recognizable Irish melodies recontextualized with Iraqi elements. This fusion respects the original tunes, keeping melodies central while introducing new layers and perspectives. Key instruments include the Irish harp, the Middle Eastern qanun, oud, and various percussion.
The project, supported by the British Council, involved an early visit by Irish musicians to Iraq. Although a planned performance at the Nineveh Peace Festival was disrupted by a local fire, this visit proved crucial in shaping relationships and artistic ideas. During this trip, the Irish artists connected with the Mshakht collective, formed in 2017 to foster cultural exchange in northern Iraq. The Mshakht members, whose name translates to 'nomads' or 'travellers,' found the British Council's initiative aligned with their philosophy of building bridges through music.
