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Mahmoud Gania, oldest son and follower of Mâalem Boubker |
Gnaoua music has its origins in sub-saharan Africa. Black slaves from Senegal, Sudan and Ghana, who were taken to Morocco in former centuries brought it here.
Their ecstatic dances remind of the voodoo cult. Gnaoua music has a great socio-psychological importance, as it is supposed to heal diseases.
In Essaouira the tradition of Gnaoua music dates back to the 16th century, when Sudanese slaves were brought to the Haha territory. This is the first Gnaoua of Essaouira and its language is berber.In 1760, with the construction of the harbour and the medina, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah brought a lot of slaves to Essaouira. Their songs tell about the painful march through the Sahara desert and the sufferings of slavery “Ouled Banbara”.
A part of the Gnaoua of Essaouira comes from the Senegalese of the colonial times. In Morocco, a gnaoua group always consists of the master (maâlem) and the musicians. The instruments they use are the guimbri, a long lute with three strings, the qarqba, large, metal castanets and the tabal, a cylindrical, wooden drum. The traditional gnaoua performance is called Lila. It is a strictly organized gnaoua night with traditional meals, dances and of course music. The first part is profan and tells about the history of the ancestors (Oulad Banbara-children of the Banbara), further on, the musicians show their dancing abilities.
The second, sacral part of the night tries to set the participants into Trance. Normally a Lila is held with special occasions, but it is also common that a Gnaoua group is invited for a private Lila. The belief in the power of Gnaoua music to heal diseases or to influence fate is still very strong.
Since Gnaoua music has got worldwide importance, the style got more free and was often combined with other styles. The music performance and not the “religious” meaning is the most important.Anyway, Gnaoua music has always been a very lively music and seeing a Gnaoua performance is an unforgettable experience.
The Gnaoua festival of Essaouira, which this year is from 11th to 17th of June, is maybe the best example for a modern Gnaoua performance, which still holds on tight to its origins.Officially site of the Gnaoua festival: http://www.festival-gnaoua.co.ma
This year the Gnaoua festival is from 14th to 17th of June.
Next to Rue S.M Ben Abdallah in the Medina is a quite common place for Gnaoua musicians. You will see their musical instruments in front of the door. A good deal might also be Bab Doukkala in the afternoon.
JEUDI 14 juin 2001:
17h30 : Défilé d’ouverture
18h30 : Groupe de Capoiera brésilienne + Mâalem Kouyou
+ Craig Harris + David Gilmore
20h30 : Mâalem Hamida Boussou + Cheik Tidiane Seck
+ Marque Gilmore + Vincent Segal
22h30 : Tyour Gnaoua + Ray Lema + Karim Ziad
+ Paulo Pondy Niaga
22h30 : concert acoustique
24h00 : Lila : Dar Souiri / Mâalem Abdelkader Benthami
24h00 : Lila : Marché aux grains / Mâalem Allal Soudani
VENDREDI 15 juin 2001:
En journée happenings dans les diverses places : Al Khayma, La Scala, Marché aux grains
16h00 : festival off, Place du Marché aux grains : Tkitika
(percsussions / chants)
16h30 : festival off, La Scala de la Médina : Tamuozigha
(percussions)
17h00 : festival off, Place Khayma : Purple Dolphins
(percussions)
17h00 : Caravan
18h30 : Seddik El Arch + World
19h30 : Abdelkébir Merchane + invités
20h00 : Mâalem Brahim El Balkani+ Carlos Malta
+ Daniel Moreno
22h00 : Hasna El Becharia + Majid Bekhas
24h00 : Mâalem Omar Hyatt + Cyril Atef + Vincent Segal
+ Mehdi Haddab
01h00 : Bumcello (le duo de Cyril Atef et Vincent Segal)
22h30 : DAR SOUIRI concert acoustique
23h00 : Lila : place du marché aux grains / Mâalem Hajoub
23h00 : Lila : place Al Khayma / Mâalem El Belghiti
SAMEDI 16 juin 2001 :
En journée : démonstration de Flysurf sur la plage + Capoeira brésilienne sur la plage
15h30 : festival off, Place Khayma : Tkitika
(percsussions / chants)
16h00 : festival off, Place du Marché aux grains :
Tamouzigha (percussions)
16h30 : festival off, La Scala de la Médina :
Purple Dolphins (percussions)
17h00 : Groupe Afouss
18h00 : Abdelkébir + invités
19h30 : Tarik Batma
20h00 : Mâalem Abdelkader AMLIL + Cyril Atef
+ Mehdi Haddab
22h00 : Groupe DU BRÉSIL : Carlos Malta + " Pife Muderno "
24h00 : Mâalem Mahmoud Guinéa + Cheik Tidiane Seck
+ Marque Gilmore + David Gilmore + Craig Harris
+ Daniel Moreno
24h30 : U-CEF and guests
22h30 : concert acoustique
24h00 : Lila : place du marché aux grains / Mâalem Ahmed
Bakbou
24h00 : Lila : place Al Khayma / Mâalem Regragui
DIMANCHE 17 juin 2001 :
17h00 : Capoeira
17h30 : Saïd El Bourqui + invités
18H30 : concert de clôture : CHEB MAMI
Moussem El Hamdouchia (June)
Moussem Derkaouia (September)
Moussem Ghazia and Moussem Aissaouira (1st of November)