Experience Morocco: Essaouira Gnawa Music and Dance Performances
Casablanca, Morocco
Rating: 
Trip Type: Theater, Shows & Musicals
Duration: 3 hours
On this evening tour in Essaouira, step inside the world of the 'gnawa,' an Afro-Moroccan group whose music, culture and traditions are the heartbeat of Morocco. Meet gnawa masters, jam with local musicians, and watch dance performances to experience this addictive music genre first-hand, in places that many Essaouira visitors don’t know about. In true local style, finish at a popular music spot in town to socialize some more. Numbers are limited to 8 on this small-group tour, ensuring a more personalized cultural experience.
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On this evening tour in Essaouira, step inside the world of the 'gnawa,' an Afro-Moroccan group whose music, culture and traditions are the heartbeat of Morocco. Meet gnawa masters, jam with local musicians, and watch dance performances to experience this addictive music genre first-hand, in places that many Essaouira visitors don’t know about. In true local style, finish at a popular music spot in town to socialize some more. Numbers are limited to 8 on this small-group tour, ensuring a more personalized cultural experience.
Meet under Essaouira’s clock tower in the evening for your 3-hour gnawa music tour, a unique experience that takes you back in time to discover Morocco's music culture, history and traditions.
Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Medina of Essaouira, the walled Arab quarter, and learn about the gnawa people and their customs from your guide. Originating from North and West Africa, gnawas are known for their ancient African-Islamic music, whose songs are marked by low-toned rhythms, chants, hand-clapping and cymbals. Performances range from upbeat social gatherings to religious rituals.
Your first stop is a zaouia, or sacred temple of the gnawa people. Traditional lila rituals take place here to drive out evil spirits and treat psychological ills, and often last for hours at a time. Next, meet a gnawa dancer (or kuyu) and head inside their home for a gnawa dance demonstration. Watch typical dance moves accompanied by an explanation of the dancer’s traditional clothing. Often made at home, these intricate designs include bold colors, embroidery and shells.
Then, it’s off to meet a gnawa maalem, or master, who acts as the leader of any gnawa troupe. Visit the maalem's private quarters to see how the traditional guembri instrument is made and hear some songs played. Share in their vast traditional knowledge and experience something usually reserved for gnawi, musicians and their friends and family.
Come full circle from gnawa’s past to present by finishing the evening in true local style: enjoying live music with a drink in hand (own expense). Stay at this local music venue as long as you like, and feel free to ask your guide about other places to continue enjoying gnawa music. Recently, the style has been fused with Western and Latin music, making it perfect music for dancing, if you're in the mood!
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