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Iranian daf player Mona settled in Tamsui after moving to Taiwan with her husband in 2018. To introduce more people to Iranian culture, she founded a musical ensemble combining traditional Persian instruments like the daf and oud [ood] with the Taiwanese erhu to create a unique cross-cultural sound. In her adopted home, she uses rhythm to chart out a brand-new musical path.

Simple taps can convey a rhythm rich in emotion. This is the daf, a type of Persian drum. The performer, Mona, is currently the only person in Taiwan who teaches the instrument professionally.

The daf binds Mona to her homeland. She moved to Taiwan in 2018 with her husband and brought her music along with. The enthusiasm of her students has transcended language barriers, and became her reason to stay.

Mona
Daf musician
And some Taiwanese also that were professional musicians, professional percussionists in Taiwan, they were really interested to learn about daf too. Their passion and dedication really impressed me.

To fulfill her dream of introducing Persian culture to people in Taiwan, Mona founded a musical ensemble in 2020, seeking out local musicians to collaborate on a unique blend of Eastern sounds.

Mona
Daf musician
Because there’s a family tie between Iranian and Chinese musical instruments, so I thought, maybe this would be a good combination to put them together in one band, and be the voice of the East from Iran to Taiwan to reform this music again and play in a different genre together.

Tamsui was the starting point of her nearly eight years in Taiwan. She says its vibrant old street always reminds her of home.

Mona
Daf musician
I love crowds. That makes me more excited. That makes me more feel that this city is alive.

What was once an unfamiliar island has now become her second home. Now, daf in hand, she continues her journey playing to the beat of her own drum.

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