Recently updated on August 14th, 2023 at 01:23 pm
Whether you go for the sights, the food or the people, Moroccan music is sure to capture the attention on your trip to Morocco. The country is a symphony of sounds, from the adhan (call to prayer), to buzzing market stalls, to the Moroccan musicians scattered from street corners to restaurants. When you visit here, you can’t help but dive into the melodies of Morocco.
From the hypnotic thrum of the hajhouj, to the moving strings of classical Arab-Andalusian music, Moroccan music is more than just a song. It’s often a deeply spiritual experience. Want to know more? Here are five of the different types of music found in Morocco to inspire your next trip.Â
Classical Arab-Andalusian music
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You may have heard of classical music, but what about Morocco’s classical music? This gorgeous style of music combines the flamenco-style strumming of Spanish folk music with the stringed instruments and percussions of classical Arab music. You’ll often hear stirring instruments like the lute, oud guitar, darbuka drum and taarija tambourine. You’ll also hear poetic lyrics typically sung in Arabic, and usually performed by men in traditional clothing during ceremonies.
Head to the north on your trip to Morocco to cities like Fes, Tangier and Casablanca and you’ll find several famous Andalusian orchestras and concerts. Essaouira also hosts the Festival of Atlantic Andalusian Music every year in October, to pay tribute to this incredible music.
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Gnawa music
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Also known as Gnaoua music, Gnawa is a spiritual style of music that uses hypnotic, low-toned melodies. Songs are usually played on a lute called a sintir or guembri, along with cymbals called krakeb, and joined by singing, hand-clapping and ceremonial dancing. Gnawa music was created by the formerly enslaved black Africans who were brought to Morocco as slaves from sub-Saharan Africa around the 11th century.
The music creates a link between the singers and their African roots and tells the story of displacement and slavery. Traditionally, Gnawa maâlems (master musicians) held Gnawa ceremonies of music and dance as part of a healing ritual used to drive out evil genie spirits. A Gnawa lila (spiritual night ceremony) usually lasts all night. The musicians call on supernatural powers, leaping around and spinning their fez tassels, as they are carried into a trance-like state.
Today, the hypnotic rhythms of Gnawa have inspired dozens of modern musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and many Moroccan musicians. You can often hear Gnawa playing out through the Djemaa-el Fna Square in Marrakesh. You’ll also hear it at the Gnaoua World Music Festival held every year in Essaouira, the home of Gnawa music.
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Berber folk music
Traditional Berber music is another style of indigenous Moroccan music you can’t miss on your trip to Morocco. The Berbers, or the self-named Imazighen, are an ancient people and culture. The indigenous Berbers of Morocco descended from the prehistoric Caspian people of North Africa more than 12,000 years ago. Over the centuries, they’ve kept up their incredible oral tradition of passing along songs and poetry to each generation. Today these ancient art forms are protected and cherished. With three different Berber regions in Morocco, each with their own unique musical styles, you can hear everything from flutes and clarinets to drums and a rabab, a one-stringed fiddle.
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To see the best Berber artists put their talents on display, head to the Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival or Agadir’s Festival Timitar of Amazigh Music. You can also visit the Berber villages on your trip to Morocco, where you may be lucky enough to see the locals putting on a musical performance. If you’re looking for Berber folk musicians to listen to, check out the Master Musicians of Joujouka. This incredible group play trance-like music used for healing. They famously inspired the likes of Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones and Ornette Coleman.
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Rai music
Rai is a beloved style of folk music in Morocco. It uses traditional instruments like reed flutes and drums along with Western instruments like violins and electronics. It also uses soulful lyrics often sung in Darija, the Arabic dialect widely spoken in Morocco. The lyrics traditionally speak about historical events and social issues, such as human rights and colonisation. Rai might sound like Arabic pop music, but it has deep religious and cultural influences that make this form of folk music so beautiful to experience.
Rai originated around the 1920s, but don’t ask exactly where it came from! There is a dispute between Morocco and Algeria over who has ownership of Rai. With the music style taking traditional elements from both countries, like Algerian Alaoui and Moroccan Ragada, it’s probable that both of these bordering countries helped kickstart Rai. It likely spread when nomadic Bedouin groups shared the songs in the desert between the two countries.
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Chaabi music
Chaabi is the popular folk music of Morocco, and it’s a beautiful blend of Andalusian and Berber music. It originated in the 1930s, boomed in the 1970s and has been a beloved part of Moroccan culture ever since. It’s similar to Rai in that the music features, lutes, drums and electric guitars and buzuks. The lyrics are also usually sung in Darija, and speaks about political and social issues. You’ll hear Chaabi everywhere on your trip to Morocco, from market stalls to taxi cabs to music festivals. It’s sure to become one of your favourite types of music in Morocco.
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Best music festivals in Morocco
March – International Nomad Festival, M’hamid El Ghizlane
March – International Festival of World Music, Merzouga
April – Jazzablanca, Casablanca
April – Festival of Sufi Culture, Fes
May – Mawazine Festival, Rabat
June РF̬s Festival of World Sacred Music, Fes
June – Gnaoua World Music Festival, Essaouira
July – Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival, Marrakesh
July – Timitar Festival, Agadir
September – TANJAzz, Tangier
September – Imilchil Marriage Festival, Imilchil
November – Visa For Music, Rabat
Did you listen to any Moroccan music artists on your trip to Morocco? Let us know in the comments below!