by Geoff | Jan 31, 2020 | Artist, Gnaoua, Morocco, Music, Northern Africa, Zaouia
In 2016 I wrote an article called The Sacred and the Profane, describing the two forms of Gnaoua music ( see http://sannyassa.co.uk/sacred-profane-gnaoua-world-music-festival-essaouira-2016/ ). In that article I identified the paradox that lay ahead for the Gnaouia; ...
by Geoff | Jan 22, 2020 | India, Morocco
Essaouira is one of the primary locations in Morocco where Gnaoua music comes to a focus. The Gnaoua World and Music Festival, unique in Morocco and held annually in Essaouira, is indicative of the cultural significance that Gnaoua music has in Essaouira. Gnaoua is...
by Geoff | Jan 12, 2020 | Essaouira, Morocco, Northern Africa, Street art
Downtown Mogadishu, circa 1991, amidst scenes depicting what appears to be the Somali Civil War, has temporarily been relocated to Essaouira. It is the location for a movie being made, so I am advised, by a South Korean film company. By the large murals on the...
by Geoff | Jan 2, 2020 | Gnaoua, Marrakech, Morocco, Music, Northern Africa
The Gnaoua have long sacrificed the absolute sacredality of its music and have evolved public performances which they called xxxxxx. Traditionally a form of healing music where the Mallem ( master musician ) supported by several other musicians and a clairvoyant, ...
by Geoff | Jan 2, 2020 | Essaouira, Marabout, Morocco, Northern Africa, Regraga, Shrine, Sufi, Zaouia
The zaouia/koubba of Sidi Ishaq is located beautifully on the Atlantic coast. It is a short caleche ride along sandy tracks from the small town of Sidi Ishaq some 3 miles inland. The caleche park is situated in the centre of the town just off the R301 which...
