Music From morocco - ESSAOUIRA Gnaoua Music

Gnaoua music is quite widespread in Morocco but also in other Maghreb countries.

During a trip to Morocco, you will certainly have the opportunity to meet a group of gnaouas (or gnawas) or a gnaoua alone. We find for example on the place Jemaa el Fna in Marrakech but also in the medinas of other cities of Morocco.

This post therefore aims to make you discover gnaoua music but also the history of this music.
The origins of Gnaoua music

Gnawa music was invented by the descendants of black slaves in the Maghreb. The exact origins of Gnaoua music are a bit unclear. Several rituals and musics of the Sahel would be at the origin of the Gnaoua music which would have evolved in the Maghreb to conform to Islam.

Gnaoua music is now not characterized by its rhythms, its sounds, but also its colors, its outfits and its dances. Gnaoua music is also punctuated by rituals and traditions.

To summarize, Gnaoua music is a mixture of contributions of black Africa but also Arab and Berber.

The instruments of Gnaoua music

The gnaouas mainly use 3 musical instruments.

The guembri

The guembri is the main instrument of a gnaoua group. It is the instrument of maalem. The maâlem or master musician is also the singer of the group.

The guembri is a stringed instrument, as can be seen in the photo above. He has 3 strings.

His sound box is covered with a dromedary skin. It is this dried skin that is struck by the musician at the same time as the strings. This also gives a precussion sound to the instrument.

The qraqeb

The qraqebs or karkabous are percussion instruments. The sound produced comes directly from the material of the instrument (metal), so it is an instrument called idiophone.

By observing qraqeb, we say that it's easy enough to play. Well I can tell you that after trying, it's not easy at all. Feel free to try, we find a lot in Morocco especially in music instruments shops. If you want to buy it as a souvenir, it's very affordable!

The tbel

The tbel is a drum. It is not used evenly and there are often 2 tbel players in a gnaoua music group.

Gnaoua music in Morocco

Gnaoua music in Morocco is present everywhere in the country. During a trip to Morocco, you will certainly meet. In Marrakech, there is almost always a group of gnaouas, in the late afternoon and evening in the Jemaa el Fna square. In Fez, there is sometimes a group of gnaouas on the side of Bab Boujloud (one of the entrances to the medina of Fez)

Essaouira hosts the annual Gnaoua festival. Several days where there are animations and concerts of Gnaoua music but also other musics of the world.

Also, in Fes, the festival of Fès sacred music of the world can accommodate performances of Gnaoua music even if this festival is not dedicated to the Gnawa.
Before your trip, do not hesitate to look on the net to listen to some gnaoua music, you can make your opinion on this music before your trip;)