Spirits in Morocco are called al-mluk - the possessors, from the verb ma-la-ka, to own. There is a relationship of power within the body of the possessed, which is often a conflictual one until the possessed submits to the possessor.
These twelve selected Piyutim are the gems of Hebrew poetry. All are chanted and sung. Some are accompanied by tambourine, oud, and percussive sounds. Most are sung "a cappela," without instrumentation.
Judeo-Spanish, Djudio, Djudezmo, or Ladino is a language spoken by the Sephardi Jews expelled from Spain in 1492. It is a language derived from Spanish and spoken by 150,000 people in communities in Israel, Turkey, the former Yugoslavia, Greece, Morocco, Majorca, the Americas, among many others.
"Gnawa always had their trades," Abdullah El-Gourd was quick to tell me. "Not like now. Then you were a carpenter, a metal smith, a mason, everyone had their job. And you were also a Gnawi. Now people make being a Gnawi into a profession. It's even on their carte nationale (national identity cards).
Gnawa music has become familiar to many Westerners; less familiar is Gnawa culture, religion, musical theory, musical instruments, and performing context of the Gnawa musicians. This online thesis (free, no download required) offers a good overview.
Gnawa music has become familiar to many Westerners; less familiar is Gnawa culture, religion, musical theory, musical instruments, and performing context of the Gnawa musicians. This online thesis (free, no download required) offers a good overview.
A portal on the Gnawa people, and the smaller sect within of musicians/healers in Morroco. From marginalized subculture to "official" representatives of Moroccan culture, many Gnawa have undergone a dramatic transition in the past decade as their music has been "discovered" by western "world music" lovers. Consequently, the Web has been a central mean of disseminating information about this culture.