Altraf Gnawa Group - Gnawa Music from Morocco

(ARC Records 2005)

The Gnawa of North Africa play deeply hypnotic trance music, led by low-pitched, rhythmic guembri melodies. It's call and response singing, accompanied by hand clapping and metal 'castanets' called qraqebs. A mixture of religious Arabic songs and African rhythms, this is ancient spiritual music with West African roots.

The term Gnawa refers firstly to a North African ethnic minority whose origins can be traced back to West African slaves and soldiers. Secondly, it refers to the people who participate in the al-layla (Arabic 'night') or derdeba ceremony that takes place inside the house or a shrine of a Gnawa family. In this ritual, singing, dancing, incense and colourful clothes play an important role.

Today, the Gnawa have created a distinct spot in Moroccan society. They play a social and spiritual role as well as providing entertainment. Not unlike the music of Malian super group, Tinariwen, Gnawa is very similar to the Blues - which are rooted in Black American slave songs of the late 19th century. And along with Tinariwen, Western musicians like Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have collaborated with Gnawa musicians to bring the traditional sound to a contemporary global audience.

Reviewer : Yve Ngoo

Bawab Gnawa (clip)