Moroccan Gnawa Music | History, Rituals, and Famous Festivals

Morocco is one of the most important Arab countries with a distinct cultural and artistic heritage. One of the things that Moroccan heritage is famous for is Moroccan Gnawa music, which always attracts many people. Despite it being a distinctive type of music that attracts various festivals, not many people know or understand it.

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What is Moroccan Gnawa music? Gnawa music is a part of Morocco's artistic and spiritual cultural heritage, combining dance, music, and healing rituals of African origin with some Moroccan Islamic and Arab influences.

The roots of this music stem from the suffering of slaves brought from West Africa, and it works to evoke spirits and ancestors through various Sufi chants and fraternal practices, and it is organized in night-time healing rituals known as the hadra or the night.

The historical roots of Gnawa music There is a wealth of historical research linking the origins of the Gnawa to sub-Saharan Africa, most notably Mali and Senegal, which at the time comprised a group of countries that included the historic Ghana Empire.

It is also believed that this music originated as a form of expression for slaves who were transported across the Atlantic Ocean to work in the extraction of salt and minerals in Morocco during various historical periods, from the Roman era to the period of the Kingdom of Mauritania.

Some suggest that the name Gnawa goes back to several indigenous tribes, while others say it is the name of the historic Ghana Empire as a reference to its historical origins. When descendants of slaves settled in North Africa, their culture blended with the Berber community in Morocco.

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Musical instruments in Gnawa art The hajooj, represented by the gambre or genbri, is one of the most prominent instruments in this music. It is a traditional stringed instrument made from fig wood, and is said to bring psychological comfort.

The qaraqab or qarqab are large, heavy metal cymbals played by hand and play a central role in setting the distinctive rhythm of Gnawa music in Morocco in general.

These instruments form the core of Gnawa music, and are used in a steady, repetitive rhythm to create a spiritual atmosphere that helps one reach special states of psychological comfort and ecstasy.

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Rituals and Spirituality in Gnawa Music There are many different rituals associated with Gnawa music in Morocco, and here we will learn about them:

The Night or the Drabba: is an important celebration in this music and symbolically commemorates the first sacrifice of the creation of the universe and invokes the seven manifestations of divine activity. Communion with spirits: This type of music is closely linked to the spiritual world, and practices and words are used to summon ancestors and spirits. These rituals continue until the spirits agree. Sufi Talisman: Gnawa is essentially Sufi music and plays a significant role in strengthening one's spiritual connection with the world of one's ancestors. Spiritual state: This music has a special spiritual character that pushes the listener into a special spiritual state. Get the latest celebrity ads directly on the Special app, where we show you everything new from international stars.

Gnaoua festivals in Morocco The Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival is the most important and famous festival of this music, founded in 1998 AD and held annually in the city of Essaouira.

The festival aims to highlight Gnawa music and represents a meeting point between Gnawa masters and traditional rhythms with international artists from different cultures, creating unique musical experiences.

The festival begins with a Gnawa music parade through the streets of Essaouira, featuring performers dressed in various costumes and playing loud drums and cymbals.

A variety of concerts are held on the various stages, including gnawa and jazz music, as well as concerts bringing together artists from diverse cultures.

The most prominent Gnawa bands and artists There are a large group of distinct groups that specialize in Gnawa, and we will get to know them below:

Hamid El Kasri Band: Performing traditional Gnawa music, the band includes several skilled musicians. Daughters of Timbuktu: A popular band led by Asmaa El Hamzaoui, they perform Guembri tunes and blend them with African rhythms. Gnawa Division: An Algerian band that combines Gnawa music with other genres, including reggae, rap, and blues. Bab L'Blues: A band that combines Gnawa music with elements of jazz, blues, and rock, and includes members from Morocco and France. The spread of Gnawa music worldwide Gnawa music has spread widely worldwide due to several main factors, including the following:

The Gnaoua Festival is one of the main reasons for its global popularity, attracting thousands of visitors, Gnaoua masters, international artists, and others. Many young musicians are working to combine elements of Gnawa music with international styles including jazz, rap, reggae, rock, and others. Gnawa art goes beyond folklore; it is a spiritual cultural heritage with followers all over the world. Bands of different nationalities have emerged, offering a rich blend of different musical backgrounds and contributing to their dissemination and development. Gnawa music reflects the history and suffering of Africans in the past, which gives it a spiritual, human dimension that attracts the interest of young people. Gnawa's influence on modern music The influence of Gnawa music on Moroccan song and modern music has been evident in many ways, most notably the following:

Gnawa harmonizes with blues, jazz, and funk to create new musical experiences, with Gnawa's performance blending with the improvisations of international musicians. The Essaouira Gnaoua Festival brings together artists from around the world to explore the spiritual traditions of Gnaoua. Workshops and festivals provide opportunities to learn Gnawa lyrics, instruments, and rituals, instilling artistic passion and creative self-expression. The spiritual and Sufi character is closely linked to the spiritual ecstasy created by Gnawa music, which attracts listeners to it. Why is Gnawa music considered a world heritage? Gnawa music is a world heritage item because it combines the authenticity of African and Islamic traditions with a unique spiritual and Sufi character that appeals to different cultures. UNESCO included this music on its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019, in recognition of its universal nature.

In addition to its role as a center of Moroccan cultural identity, this music is capable of transcending cultural boundaries and connecting with various forms of international music, particularly jazz and blues.

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Moroccan Gnawa music is one of the most popular genres of music today worldwide, offering a blend of many other genres of music, which increases its popularity.