Author: Andreas Kirchgäßner

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LP cover of Nass El Ghiwane (source: Elektropeasant)

Nass El Ghiwane

Troubadours of the Old and New Morocco

For decades now, Nass El Ghiwane have fascinated audiences with their individual stylistic blend of Gnawa trance music and social protest songs. Their popularity is such that they've been dubbed the "Moroccan Beatles". Andreas Kirchgäßner profiles the groupMore

15th Gnawa Music Festival in Morocco: A Festival of FusionThe Master Musicians of Joujouka: The Faded Myth of the Goat-GodThe Gnawa Festival in Essaouira: High on Spirits
A djembe group performing at the Gnawa Festival in Essaouira (photo: © Karim Tibari/Festival d'Essaouira Gnaoua)

15th Gnawa Music Festival in Morocco

A Festival of Fusion

As dynamic as ever in its fifteenth year, the Gnawa and World Music Festival brings together Gnawa trance and the great performers of world music, jazz and pop in the picturesque and very windy city of Essaouira on Morocco's Atlantic coast. Andreas Kirchgäßner took in the atmosphereMore

The Moroccan Fusion Singer Oum: ''I Am a Muslim, But I Make Decisions about My Life''Gnawa World Music Festival in Essaouira: A Kind of "Moroccan Woodstock"The Gnawa Festival in Essaouira: High on SpiritsThe Trance-scendental Brotherhood of the Gnawa: Religious Practice as a Therapeutic Act

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Rainbow wares: leather goods are a popular holiday souvenir from Morocco. In many of the narrow souks in the old town centres, there are alleys full of leather shops. But you can also buy the brightly coloured shoes, belts, bags and co. directly from the leather factories. There, animal skins are still processed according to traditional methods. Working conditions in the tanneries are correspondingly tough

A filthy occupation: leather-tanning in Morocco

Those looking to visit a leather factory In Morocco should visit the tanners' quarter in the town of Fez. For tourists the ancient craft may be fascinating, for the workers, however, it is extremely exhausting. By Stefanie Hoppner