The Gnawa

The Gnawa are a Moroccan brotherhood since the late sixteen hundreds. Originally they came from the old Timbuktu, Senegal, Ghana or Sudan. They entertain the spectators of Jemaa El Fna with music and acrobatic performances. Over the centuries their rituals mixed with the Moroccan culture. Once they sang songs about the slavery in Morocco but nowadays they also sing about religious subjects. 

For their music they use the sounds of the “Hajhuh“ or “Lothar“, an instrument like a guitar out of wood and leather mit three strings, the “Kraksch“, a special kind of castanets, and a big drum.

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