| The Gnawa are descendants of former slaves | | | | unique to the region of Essaouira, where we also |
| originating in Sub-Saharan African territories (Niger, | | | | find Gnawa and Berber Jewish. |
| Senegal, Mali, Ghana, etc.) that the Arabs and | | | | For economic reasons, some Gnawa (who are |
| Berbers from Morocco and Algeria found in | | | | not all "Maalem", masters of music and mystical |
| Western Africa. Although some scholars find the | | | | ceremony) of Morocco ritual come to present |
| roots of their spirituality in voodoo, the Gnawa | | | | their music to a wider Moroccan audience; inspired |
| are today Muslim mystical brotherhoods mostly | | | | by troupes of acrobats that can be seen in the |
| known for their musical style, one of the main | | | | Jemmaa el Fna square in Marrakech or in the |
| genres of Moroccan folklore. | | | | "Moussem" (regional religious celebration), they will |
| Their name derives from the word GUINEA | | | | develop and invent stunts (which are not part of |
| (former Empire of Western Sudan) even if only | | | | the ritual) and enrich their dresses with bright |
| part of the population comes from this region of | | | | robes, hats with a long tassel, the "gri-gri" white |
| Africa. In the Maghreb, the word "Soudani" is used | | | | sewn onto the dress and the hat, in order to |
| to refer to all people of sub-Saharan Africa or | | | | attract, entertain and distract the audience. |
| black Africans and, by extension, denotes "slave | | | | Outside Essaouira and before they became |
| or descendant of a slave", whatever the country | | | | renowned, the Gnawa had been long regarded as |
| of origin (and not just Sudan). The term "ABDE or | | | | public entertainers. |
| ABID" clearly means "slave or descendant of a | | | | In Morocco alone, Gnaoua music is now also |
| slave or person with black skin". | | | | represented by women's groups of Essaouira |
| They were then mixed with the local population | | | | (called "Mqadamate", feminine of "Maalem"). Their |
| and were trained in brotherhoods (with a master | | | | music is played with "darbukas", metal trays and |
| and a particular style of dress) to create a music | | | | sometimes "krakeb", but the "gambra" is not |
| and worship mixing African and Arab-Berber | | | | played anymore today. Their clothes resemble |
| traditions, as well as pre-Islamic musical and | | | | that of men's and their dance is consistent with |
| spiritual expressions. These brotherhoods, rooted | | | | that form of ritual. |
| in Moroccan culture, explain creativity and vitality | | | | This kind of music exists, with some differences, |
| to the success of Moroccan Gnawa with their | | | | in Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and Libya, with specific |
| compatriots, tourists and musicians from the | | | | names in each of these countries. However, unlike |
| West. | | | | in Morocco, where relatively accurate information |
| Gnawa dancing and singing have a | | | | is available, the different kinds of Gnawa in these |
| mystical-religious aspect. With their "krakeb" | | | | other countries show grey areas and have |
| (metal cymbal) and their percussion, singers and | | | | varying degrees, both historical, cultural, and |
| dancers can sometimes go into a trance. The | | | | societal. The gnawa rites are surrounded with an |
| style is captivating, and their folklore is beautiful | | | | element of mystery and access to "lilas", the ritual |
| and fertile. | | | | of syncretic possession, remains private. |
| In Morocco, the birthplace of Gnawa music is quite | | | | |