Feistikji Family

Middle Eastern musicians and jewelers

A woman is sitting in a chair and playing a lute. — *Katherine Feistikji, 1937* **Credit:** Syrian Ark, July 1937 (courtesy of Edward E. Curtis IV)

In the early 1920s John (ca. 1866-Jan. 25, 1949) and Mary (ca. 1875-Apr. 18, 1948) Feistikji, who were Armenian Roman Catholics, brought their children Francis (ca. 1894-Nov. 7, 1952), Joseph (ca. 1901-Apr. 5, 1986), Alma (ca. 1905-Feb. 9, 1975), Emma (ca. 1908-Oct. 27, 1982), and Katherine (ca. 1913-May 15, 1987) from Aleppo, Syria to Indianapolis. The Feistikjis became the most prominent Middle Eastern musicians in mid-century Indianapolis. They were also jewelers who produced traditional jewelry from the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Feistikjis were known for providing the musical entertainment at community events, including one historically significant event in Arab American history. Performing at the 1936 festivities celebrating the establishment of the Midwest Federation of Syrian American Clubs, they appeared before hundreds of delegates at the Syrian American Brotherhood Hall at Riverside Park. The youngest child, Katherine sang while also playing the oud, or lute. Father John played the qanun, or zither; brother Francis, the kamanja, or bow; and brother Joseph, the darbuka, or goblet drum. In the summer of 1937, the family provided accompaniment to the dances of visiting artist Julia Taweel. The family also performed at Little Flower Roman Catholic Church, which hosted an “oriental (Levantine) dinner” in 1943.

Three men stand together. One presents a small object to the other two. — *Harry J. Herff (right) presents gold emblems to Francis (left) and Joseph (middle) Feistikji, 1945* **Credit:** Indianapolis Times View Source

The family’s artistic and business talents extended beyond musicianship. By 1936, several of the Feistijkis had found work at Herff Jones, makers of class rings. The family also opened a corner grocery on Olney Street in Brightwood, a favorite neighborhood of Arabic-speaking immigrants in the 1920s and 1930s. By the 1940s, the family established its own jewelry company, the Feistikji Jewelry Company crafting hand-made pieces in 22-carat gold and sterling silver. They specialized in filigree, a style of jewelry ubiquitous in the Eastern Mediterranean.

By introducing members of the Indianapolis public to Middle Eastern music and jewelry, the Feistikji family made unique and important cultural contributions to both the Syrian-Lebanese community and Indianapolis as a whole.

Further Reading