“Healing Rhythms" is a four-part series marking Black History Month and the rich cultural diversity of Toronto. Across the series you will be introduced to several teachers and musicians — including the Moneka family — who share their rhythms and songs that celebrate family and community.

In episode 1, you are introduced to the Moneka family and their journey from Mombasa to Basra to Toronto. In 2015, Ahmed Moneka arrived in Canada at the age of 24. Moneka is now a Canadian Citizen and a father. After a 1,000 year generational history in Iraq, Ahmed’s father, mother, and sister joined him in Toronto in 2021, leaving their Iraqi roots that extend back to Mombasa, Kenya in the 8th Century (CE).

The Moneka's are not just a musical family, but are keepers and practitioners of a tariqa (spiritual path) known as Bilali Mombasi or Al Tariqa Albambasia. Drumming, singing and dance form the basis of their practice and a means of connecting history, ancestors, and healing.

At the end of January 2022, Ahmed, his sister Tara, and his father Saleh gathered with Toronto artists Saiko Saho (Gambia), Waleed Abdulhameed (Sudan), and Aline Morales (Brazil) — all of who have African ancestry to teach them ritual rhythms and songs from their family tradition.

This sharing amongst musicians and teachers is a beautiful act of generosity and sound strategy. If we do not share our knowledge and traditions, they become lost. This is how we not only keep them alive, but allow them to evolve.

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