Blogger: Cherguis’ whispers
Article: Drums of the Gnawas
Originaly Posted On: 2007-03-28 05:30:00

Gnawas are at the same time musicians, a brotherhood and somehow magicians. Descent of former black slaves, they are known for their hypnotic music, cymbals and drums….
Gnawas of Essaouira are the most well known, but they can be found everywhere in Morocco, with a World Music sound, or a deeply authentic one.

In Tazzarine, ithey are six brothers with deep voices that chant the blessings. They come sometimes in the Oasis, and you can see them walk through the desert, accompanied by the sound of their drums.

We light a fire, outside of our walls, with a big root of tamaris. And the night starts, the rythm quickens more and more, and suddenly stops. The leader hits his drum several times, very regularly, in the silence of the night, like before opening the curtain in the theater… and the music starts again.