Gnawa are the descendants of slaves originating from Black Africa who established brotherhoods throughout Morocco. They are made up of master musicians (maâlem), metal castanet players, clairvoyants, mediums and their followers.
They are at the same time musicians, initiators and healers, blending African and Arabo-Berber customs. Despite being Muslims, the Gnawa base their ritual on djinn (spirits) straight from the the African cult of possession.
The most spectacular and important ceremony is the Lila, whose function is essentially therapeutic.
During the celebration the maâlem and his group call on the saints and supernatural entities to take possession of their followers who fall into trance.
Their instruments :
- 3 stringed percussive lute (guembri)
- Large metal castanets (qraqeb)
- Drums (ganga or tbal)
Fusion
Gnawa music has won an international profile and appeal. Many Western musicians including Bill Laswell, Randy Weston, Adam Rudolph, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, have drawn on and collaborated with Gnawi musicians. Some traditionalists regard modern collaborations as a mixed blessing, leaving or modifying sacred traditions for more explicitly commercial goals. International recording artists such as Hassan Hakmoun have introduced Gnawa music and dance to Western audiences through their recordings and concert performances.
The centre for Gnawa music is Essaouria in the South of Morocco where festivals of Gnawa music are held periodically. The Gnawa of Marrakesh hold their annual festival at the sanctuary of Moulay Brahim in the Atlas Mountains.
Definition:
- Gnawa : plural of Gnawi. A generic term which includes all members of the brotherhood including the master musicians, castanet players, clairvoyant healers and the followers of the cult.
- Maâlem : master of the ceremony
- Moqadma : priestess
- Tallaâtes, chouwafates or arifates : clairvoyant healers
- Mlouk : supernatural entities
- Guembri or Hajhouj : percussive 3-stringed lute
- Aouicha : small guembri
- Qarqabats or Qraqech : metal castanets
- Tbel : drums
- Ftouh errahba : beginning of the mlouk repertory of songs
- Derdeba ou Lila : Ritual of possession
- Hal ou jedba : transe
- Koyo : Pre-Islamic musical repertory
Sources :
- www.wikipedia.com
- www.festival-gnaoua.net
