Musician dismantled rare instrument to continue tradition in Australia
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Tarik Hussein of Sydney, Australia, disassembled his most prized kanun, a stringed instrument similar to a zither, to understand how it was made and replicate it.
In 2006, Hussein believed only ten kanuns existed in Australia, and importing more proved difficult because the instruments frequently arrived damaged. Unable to find a local maker, Hussein partnered with his father-in-law, a skilled woodworker, to reverse-engineer the kanun.
Together, they created what Hussein calls an “Australian version” of the instrument, becoming the country’s only known kanun makers. They devote years to crafting each one, prioritizing the experience of his students over commercial gain. Hussein’s story is featured in Moments in Waiting, a film series by artist Khaled Sabsabi that highlights significant Islamic objects found in Sydney suburbs.
The series, launching with the opening of Powerhouse Parramatta on November 7, aims to share stories of migration and cultural diversity within Australian communities. Other featured collections include a centuries-old set of Koranic manuscripts and a document from the Ottoman Empire brought to Australia by a Bosnian war refugee.
