Music of Morocco
Moroccan music is characterized by its great diversity from one region to another, as well as according to different social groups. It is influenced by different musical styles including Amazigh, Andalusi, Arab, Mediterranean, Saharan, West African, and others.
| Music of Morocco | |
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| Specific forms | |
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| Regional music | |
Musical styles vary by geography. Andalusi music and malhun are associated with urban centers in the north, chaabi and aita are associated with the Atlantic coastal plains, reggada is associated with the Rif, gnawa with Essaouira and Marrakesh, ahidus with the Middle Atlas, ahwash with the Sous region, and guedra in the Sahara.
Particularly since the 20th century, musicians have been synthesizing Moroccan musical traditions with influences from around the world, such as blues, rock, metal, reggae, rap, etc. Each genre and musical style is made up of regional subgroups, and is further divided between 'modern' and 'traditional' music.
Traditional music styles
Aita
Aita (عيطة "call, cry or lament") is a popular Bedouin musical style that originates from the countryside of Morocco, especially the Atlantic plains—areas such as Doukkala-Abda, Chaouia-Ouardigha, and Rehamna.
Amazigh folk music
There are many varieties of Berber folk music and dance, such as:
Ahwash
Ahwash (أحواش, ⴰⵃⵡⴰⵛ) is a collective musical form associated with Amazigh communities in southern Morocco, particularly around Ouarzazate, the Dra'a Valley, and Sous.[1] Ahwash involves dance, singing, poetry, and percussion.
Ahidus
Ahidus (أحيدوس, ⴰⵃⵉⴷⵓⵙ) is a style of collective dance and song of the Amazigh tribes in Middle and Eastern High Atlas.
Guedra
Guedra is a music and dance style associated with the Tuareg "blue people" of the Moroccan sahara.[2] The name comes from an earthen cookingware over which a hide is stretched to form a drum.[3]
Andalusi classical music
Andalusi classical music (Arabic: طرب أندَلُسي, موسيقى الآلة transliterated ṭarab andalusi or Musiqa al-Ala, Spanish: música andalusí) is a style of Arabic music found in different styles across the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya in the form of the Ma'luf style). It originated out of the music of Al-Andalus (Muslim Iberia) between the 9th and 15th centuries. Some of its poems were found to be composed by authors such as Al-Shushtari, Ibn al-Khatib and Al-Mu'tamid ibn Abbad. Andalusian music is a part of the longest traditions of art and music in the world. Andalusian music was introduced during the arrival of Ziryab, a freed Persian slave and musical pioneer, in the early 9th century. After Ziryab's death, two new styles of Arabic poetry were introduced in Al-Andalus: Muwashshahat and Zajal.[4]
Chaabi "popular" folk music
Chaabi (Arabic: الشعبي, meaning popular in English) is a music consisting of numerous varieties which descend from the multifarious forms of Moroccan folk music. Chaabi was originally performed in markets, but is now found at any celebration or meeting.
Raï Music
Main article: Raï
Morocco has produced its own stars like Cheb Mimoun and Hanino. Rai music originated from Algeria, but is just as effective and popular in Morocco. This style of music was created during a period of political turmoil, and served a purpose of social and political commentary. Rai music has gained massive support over the years from the urban populace for its purpose of addressing taboo topics.[5] It was also greatly known for code switching between French and Arabic.Rai artists use this method to add to the rhetorical and aesthetic effect of the lyrics , as well as a method of opening the lyrics to a wider range of an audience.
Gnawa music
Gnawa music is a mystical form of music and incantation of West African origin. It was initially brought to Morocco by Sub-Saharan Africans and gradually became part of the Moroccan musical tradition. The gnawa musicians are respected for their spiritual performances. Through oral traditions, they have handed down a specific cultural ceremony, called derdeba or lila, which consists of song, dance, the burning of incense and of specific costumes and colours. The instruments used are large drums called “tbel” or “qanqa” and metal double castanets called “garageb”. The main instrument is a three-stringed bass lute, called the “gimbri” accompanied by the chanting of the singers.[6]
Classical Malhun
Classical Malhun is peaceful music associated with urban centers such as Meknes, Fes, Salé, Tetouan, and Oujda. It has been played around in the streets of Morocco for over a thousand years. It is very common music to hear in Morocco.
Classical Sufi music
Sufi brotherhoods (tariqas) are common in Morocco, and music is an integral part of their spiritual tradition. This music is an attempt at reaching a trance state which inspires mystical ecstasy.
Recent styles
Funk
Attarazat Addahabia was one of the pioneers of funk music in Morocco.[7] Jil Jilala was also influential in this genre.
Rock
Nass El Ghiwane, led by Laarbi Batma, was an icon of Moroccan music in the late 20th century.
Hoba Hoba Spirit is a rock band that draws influence from traditional Moroccan styles such as gnawa, as well as styles from abroad such as reggae.
Hip-hop
Notable Moroccan hip-hop musicians include El Grande Toto, Don Big, 7liwa, and others. Among the younger generation there are Issam and Manal Benchlikha.
Music education
References
- LesEco.ma (2019-06-26). "La 8ème édition du Festival national des Arts d'Ahwach à Ouarzazate". LesEco.ma (in French). Retrieved 2020-05-02.
- AlZayer, Penni (2010). Middle Eastern Dance. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60413-482-7.
- "Au festival Taragalte, les femmes du Sahara entre traditions et guitares électriques". Télérama.fr (in French). Retrieved 2020-05-02.
- Schuyler, Philip D (1978). "Moroccan Andalusian Music". The World of Music. 20 (1): 33–46. ISSN 0043-8774. JSTOR 43562538.
- McMurray, David; Swedenburg, Ted (1991). "Rai Tide Rising". Middle East Report (169): 39–42. doi:10.2307/3012952. ISSN 0899-2851. JSTOR 3012952.
- Weissleder, Wolfgang (2011-06-15). The Nomadic Alternative: Modes and Models of Interaction in the African-Asian Deserts and Steppes. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 978-3-11-081023-3.
- Moore, Marcus J. (2019-09-17). "The Making of Moroccan Funk". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
Notes
- Muddyman, Dave. "A Basic Expression of Life". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp 567–578. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0
Bibliography
- Chants et Danses Berbères (Moyen Atlas - Foire au Mouton de Timhadit) par Alexis Chottin 16 juin 1935 in Revue de musicologie, T. 17e, No. 58e (1936), pp. 65–69
- Olsen, Myriam ; Lortat-Jacob, Bernard, pref. Musiques de l’Atlas, Arles : Actes Sud : Cité de la musique, 1997 .
- Guettat, Mahmoud, La musique classique du Maghreb, Paris : Sindbad, 1980 . (La bibliothèque arabe).
- Aydoun, Ahmed, Musiques du Maroc, Casablanca : Editions EDDIF, 1994.
- Mohamed Belghazi (dir.), Instruments des musiques populaires et de confréries du Maroc. Fragments de musées, Aix-en-Provence : Edisud, La croisée des chemins, 1998.
- Catherine Homo-Lechner et Christian Rault, Instruments de musique du Maroc et d'al-Andalus, Fondation Royaumont / CERIMM, 1999.