The PROFESSIONAL Event, Editorial and Promotional Calendar
About Gnaoua World Music Festival
Culture & Art , Muslim
Festivals & Fairs , Africa
Ends: Jun 22, 2024
DESCRIPTION:
Christians have Gospel music, and Islam in North Africa has Gnaoua.
The Gnaoua World Music Festival, also known as Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du Monde, is an annual celebration in the coastal town of Essaouira, Morocco. The festival explores and promotes the musical genre of Gnaoua and a variety of spiritual world music styles.
The festival began in 1998 to celebrate the Gnaoua musical tradition and its influence. Gnaoua music has its roots in sub-Saharan Africa, and it was brought to Morocco centuries ago through the trans-Saharan slave trade. Over the years, it has evolved into a unique Moroccan musical genre known for its hypnotic rhythm and spiritual undertones. The Gnaoua people are often described as mystical musicians and storytellers, and their music plays a significant role in Moroccan culture.
During the late June festival, Essaouira comes alive with music performances citywide. The festival features a mix of local Gnaoua musicians (known as Maâlems) and international artists, resulting in a fascinating fusion of styles. While Gnaoua music is the main highlight, the festival includes jazz, blues, pop, rock, soul, and global folk music performances, which can lead to some truly unique and exciting musical collaborations.
One of the festival's most captivating aspects is the Lila, a traditional, all-night ritual concert that starts in the evening and goes on until dawn. These performances are spiritual experiences filled with music, dancing, and chanting, creating a trance-like state central to the Gnaoua tradition.
Apart from the music, you can enjoy the stunning beauty of Essaouira itself, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its 18th-century seaport and ancient Arabic medina.
The Gnaoua World Music Festival is a cultural and spiritual journey that offers a deep insight into the unique Gnaoua tradition and its place in the world music scene.
PLEASE NOTE:
Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.
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