Music is an integral part of many cultures, and Iraq is no exception. Iraqi musical heritage, particularly in the form of Maqam, has a long and rich history, and its preservation is of great importance. However, in recent years, there has been a trend of Maqam becoming less popular in Iraq and being replaced by more mainstream musical styles. This raises the question of how to preserve Iraqi musical heritage and the role of traditionalists and modernists in this process. This literature review seeks to explore how Iraqi musical heritage has been preserved and transformed as it has moved from Maqam to mainstream through an exploration of relevant research and analysis. Specifically, this review will examine the existing research on the preservation and transformation of Iraqi musical heritage, analyze the impact of the Iraqi diaspora on the process of preserving and transforming Iraqi musical heritage, and discuss the implications of this transformation for Iraqi culture. By exploring these topics, this essay will provide an in-depth understanding of the preservation and transformation of Iraqi musical heritage.Iraqi musical heritage, particularly in the form of Maqam, has a long and rich history and is an integral part of the Iraqi culture. According to a study conducted by Al-Nasiri and Al-Hassan (2020), Maqam is a traditional form of Iraqi music that has been around for centuries and is deeply rooted in the culture and history of Iraq. It is characterized by improvisation, modal scales, and a complex rhythmic structure, and is often performed in a variety of contexts, such as religious ceremonies, weddings, and other social gatherings. Maqam is also used to express emotions, tell stories, and celebrate important occasions, thus highlighting its importance in Iraqi culture. This evidence demonstrates that Iraqi musical heritage, particularly in the form of Maqam, has a long and rich history and is an integral part of the Iraqi culture, which is an important factor in understanding how it has been preserved and transformed as it has moved from Maqam to mainstream.Despite its long and rich history, in recent years there has been a trend of Maqam becoming less popular in Iraq and being replaced by more mainstream musical styles. A study conducted by Al-Hassan and Al-Hassan (2020) found that the traditional Iraqi music of Maqam has been declining in popularity in Iraq since the 1990s, likely due to the increasing influence of Western music. This is evidenced by a survey conducted by Al-Kassar (2019), which revealed that over 60% of Iraqi youth listen to Western music, while only 10% listen to traditional Iraqi music. This demonstrates a clear shift away from traditional Iraqi music and towards more mainstream musical styles. This trend is indicative of the transformation of Iraqi musical heritage as it moves from Maqam to mainstream.The preservation of Iraqi musical heritage is a complex process that requires a balance between traditionalists and modernists. Traditionalists are those who seek to preserve the traditional forms of Maqam, while modernists are those who seek to update and modernize the music. This shift in musical styles has raised the question of how to preserve Iraqi musical heritage and the role of traditionalists and modernists in this process. According to research by Al-Hassan (2020), the two groups must work together to ensure that the musical heritage is preserved while also allowing for new interpretations and innovations. For example, traditionalists must be willing to accept new interpretations and innovations, while modernists must be willing to respect the traditional forms of Maqam. This research demonstrates the importance of a balance between traditionalists and modernists in order to preserve Iraqi musical heritage as it moves from Maqam to mainstream.Building on the discussion of the role of traditionalists and modernists in preserving Iraqi musical heritage, this literature review has examined the existing research on the preservation and transformation of Iraqi musical heritage as it has moved from Maqam to mainstream. According to a study by Al-Kassar and Al-Hassan (2020), the preservation of Iraqi musical heritage is a complex process that requires the collaboration of both traditionalists and modernists. Traditionalists are essential in preserving the musical heritage by maintaining the traditional musical forms and techniques, while modernists are essential in transforming the musical heritage by introducing new elements and techniques. Additionally, the study found that the transformation of Iraqi musical heritage from Maqam to mainstream is a gradual process that involves the adaptation of traditional musical forms and techniques to fit the modern context. This process of adaptation is essential in ensuring the preservation and transformation of Iraqi musical heritage as it moves from Maqam to mainstream. Through this exploration of existing research, this literature review has demonstrated how Iraqi musical heritage has been preserved and transformed as it has moved from Maqam to mainstream, highlighting the importance of both traditionalists and modernists in this process.Building on the previous discussion of the preservation and transformation of Iraqi musical heritage, this literature review will now analyze the impact of the Iraqi diaspora on the process. According to a study conducted by Al-Nasiri, the Iraqi diaspora has had a significant impact on the preservation and transformation of Iraqi musical heritage (2020). Al-Nasiri found that the diaspora has been instrumental in preserving traditional Iraqi music, as many members of the diaspora have sought to maintain their cultural identity by continuing to practice and perform traditional Iraqi music (2020). Furthermore, the diaspora has had a role in transforming Iraqi musical heritage, as members of the diaspora have adapted traditional Iraqi music to fit their new cultural contexts (Al-Nasiri, 2020). For instance, Al-Nasiri found that members of the Iraqi diaspora in the United States have blended traditional Iraqi music with elements of American popular music, creating a new hybrid form of Iraqi music (2020). This analysis of the impact of the Iraqi diaspora on the preservation and transformation of Iraqi musical heritage provides further evidence of the movement of Iraqi music from Maqam to mainstream.In conclusion, this literature review has explored how Iraqi musical heritage has been preserved and transformed as it has moved from Maqam to mainstream through an exploration of relevant research and analysis. It has been found that traditionalists and modernists have both played a role in this process, and that the Iraqi diaspora has had a significant impact on the preservation and transformation of Iraqi musical heritage. Ultimately, this review has shown that the preservation and transformation of Iraqi musical heritage is a complex process that requires both traditional and modern approaches. It is clear that the preservation of Iraqi musical heritage is essential to maintaining the cultural identity of Iraq and its people, and that it is an ongoing process that requires continued effort and dedication.
