CAIRO: Every Tuesday and Wednesday Cairo's Makan hosts a traditional religious music night. During these shows, Sufi dance and song are performed by the Munshids, performers of Islamic religious singing, some of which are well-known. The night begins with an entry in to a small room with a balcony overlooking the performance. Pillows and chairs are scattered around the bottom floor, while tables decorate the balcony. The performance itself contains five men on different instruments including drums and finger cymbals. The drums are known as a Duff, a special drum with strings attached to the skin known as Mazhar. They resemble tambourines and are a popular instrument in the Middle East. Enter the Sufi. His all white Galabiya stands out amongst the darkness of the room. With a wide grin and a mischievous look, he begins to tell a story, a mixture of dictation and song. As the music darts back and forth between melodies, so does his pace and his stance. He speaks to the audience, looking in to each and everyone's eyes, as if his story was a retelling of an event he himself had been witness to. During one such performance the Munshid sings of his devotion to God and his love for the prophet Mohamed. The performance lasts about two hours, with a quick break in between allowing for the legs to be stretched before re-entering the show. The stage itself looks as if it is surrounded in the form of a crescent moon with seats and pillows, the performers are the star. The Munshids present were known as the Madayeh, a group that pays homage to the Sufi known as Sidi Abu el Gheit, and their music pays homage to the life and deeds of their holy man. Madayeh means praise in Arabic, and the group utilizes many different forms of instruments to create a rhythm that is entirely unique to the Madayeh. The melodies they use differ greatly from the traditional Hadra, where many groups would refrain from using any instruments at all. The performance itself is part recital of holy names, stories and Islamic poetry, as well as a chaotic improvisational performance. The Munshid speaks to the audience; his gaze pierces through whomever he stares down as he sings. Makan is an Egyptian center for culture and art. Every Tuesday and Wednesday the center holds performances from many different groups, including workshops and meetings. According to their creed, the objective is to preserve culture and art, by promoting such shows and by documenting as much as possible. Makan Contact info: 1 Saad Zaghloul St. El Dawaween, Cairo 11461 BM
