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Ikram Ghalmi
2 February 2016
Mrs. Intawiwat
Moroccan Music
Moroccan music is very diverse. Unlike the United States, in Morocco music is mostly
affected by culture. Moroccan music is formed in the vast majority of the Amazigh music like
Reggada from Rif, Chabi from Gharb, and Atlas or Ahidous from Souss. Then comes the
Andalusian music, and the Gnawa music. Arabic music is less present in Morocco. However,
there is a new generation of young people, who creates music which synthesizes the Moroccan
spirit in the influences from around the world (blues, rock, metal, reggae, Moroccan rap, etc.).
Each genre and musical group consists of regional sub-groups, and is further divided between
modern and traditional music.
One of the richest aspects of Moroccos culture is its music. Made up of more than
twenty-five different types, Moroccan music reflects the richness of its diversity and echoes its
present and past history ("Music in Morocco."). Moroccan music consists of four big major
musical genres: Gnawa, Ra, Chabi, Andalusian, Berber music, and every musical group are
constituted of subgroups. Morocco is qualified as a country of contrasts, certainly by the
diversity because of its geographical position, which is a kind of crossroads between the West,
the East and the African Sahara. In the Maghreb, singings, songs and poetry are not separated and
remain attached to the deep oral tradition. Wherever you travel in Morocco you are guaranteed to
hear music. It is the basic expression of the countrys folk culture. Traditional Moroccan music is
an important part of everyday life, evident at every celebration and is most spectacular when it is
seen live at births, marriages, funerals, religious gathering and festivals ("Moroccan Music &
Artists.").

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The Andalusian classical music is very much alive in the Maghreb and its origins go back
to the times of Al-Andalus. This musical tradition has evolved differently in the different parts of
the Maghreb; in Morocco musicologists claim that it has better maintained some of its original
characteristics (Xserra). Known formerly under the name of moussiqua al-la, it is about music of
court of a very sophisticated civilization played and sung in the big cities of the North of
Morocco: Fs, Ttouan, Oujda, and Tangier. The Orchestra of Tangier is an Andalusian musical
group that is well respected today and has travelled throughout Morocco and the USA.
Gnawa came from West Africa to Morocco by way of migration, both voluntary and
forced. Although the Gnawa are now fully integrated in Moroccan society, the Gnawa still remain
a cultural and a social distinctiveness. The term Gnawa has three important meanings. First, it
refers to black people who were enslaved in West Africa. Second, it defines both a
religious/spiritual order of a traditionally Black Muslim group. Third, it denotes the style of
music associated with this order. The ancestral memory of the displaced and enslaved people that
were brought to Morocco is preserved mainly in their songs and dances ("Feature: Gnawa Music
of Morocco."). The new generations of Gnaoua malems who have performed at the Gnaoua
Festival are: Sad Boulhimas, Midnight Shems, Darga, and Rif Gnawa.
The most popular music of Morocco is chaabi. Similar to pop music in the West, chaabi
covers a wide mix of styles and is a descendant of various forms of folk music. This upbeat form
of music originates from the streets and souks. The three most important early groups in this
movement were Lemchaheb, Nass El Ghiwane and Jil Jilala. All three bands featured politicized
lyrics that got the songwriters in trouble with the government. Other groups like Tagada and Les
Freres Bouchenak also played an important role ("Moroccan Chabbi Music.").

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The three different Berber regions in Morocco each possesses their own language and, in
turn, their own Berber rhythms. Berber music has survived thanks to a few Berber musicians and
poets. Many Arab Moroccans do not listen to Berber music since most do not speak or understand
Berber ("Music in Morocco."). The music of the Berbers is an ancient tradition, long predating
the arrival of the Arabs in Morocco and has been passed on orally from generation to generation.
There are three varieties of Berber folk music: village, ritual music and the music performed by
professional musicians. Some popular Berber musicians that are respected by across Morocco
and whose music has permeated daily life in and perform at local festivals are: Bahija d Omar,
Aicha Tachinwite, B'net Marrakech, Hassan Arsmouk, Bnat Oudaden. These musicians are from
various parts of the Souss. Berber music draws from the deepest bottom of the human memory.
While the Master Musicians of Jajouka grasped attention of the Rolling Stones' guitarist Brian
Jones 40 years ago, the mighty women of B'net Marrakech easily do the same to contemporary
European and American audiences ("Berber Music - Amazigh Music.").
With its origins in Algeria, it has been adopted by Morocco and is associated to the
eastern region of the country, especially the city of Oujda. Rai music gained a lot of popularity in
Morocco in the 90s with the death of the famous Algerian Ra singer Cheb Hasni. Since then, Ra
has blossomed in the North East of Morocco ("Music in Morocco.").

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Works Cited
"Berber Music - Amazigh Music." Berber Musicians. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.travel-exploration.com/subpage.cfm/Berber_Musicians>.
"Feature: Gnawa Music of Morocco." Afropop Worldwide. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.afropop.org/9305/feature-gnawa-music-of-morocco/>.
"Moroccan Chabbi Music." Moroccan Chabbi Musician. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.travel-exploration.com/subpage.cfm/Moroccan_Chabbi_Music>.
"Moroccan Music & Artists." Travel Morocco. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <http://www.travelexploration.com/mpage.cfm/Moroccan_Music_Artists>.
"Music in Morocco." Music from Morocco. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.morocco.com/music/>.
Xserra. "Arab-Andalusian Music." Arab-Andalusian Music. N.p., 04 June 2013. Web. 01 Feb.
2016. <http://compmusic.upf.edu/node/153>.