Maalem Houssam Giunia (Maroko) / 9.11.

🎶 The Trance Rituals of Morocco’s Gnawa Tradition
Since the 7th century, Morocco has been intertwined with the trans-Saharan slave trade, a history that has significantly influenced its music. The descendants of enslaved Africans, known as the Gnawa, have developed a captivating musical tradition linked to the all-night trance rituals called lila.
One of the most celebrated figures in this tradition was Mahmoud Guinia, a sought-after collaborator of American improvisers like Pharoah Sanders and Hamid Drake. Now, his son Houssam Guinia is coming to Prague. He is notable not only for his artistry but also for earning the title of maâlem—a distinction reserved for master musicians—before the age of thirty.
While the Gnawa genre emerged from Black communities similar to American blues, it differs in sound and social function. The backbone of Gnawa music consists of cyclical chants accompanied by the hypnotic bass lute guimbri and sharply rhythmic metal percussion. Unlike blues, which reflects oppression and hope in the Western world, Gnawa serves as a direct connection to the magical jinn of African spirituality.
🔗 INFO / Presale via GoOut from 400 CZK