Nagadif Gnawa wow audience at Momo's Kemia Bar, London, W1

February, 2003 -- Evocative, compelling, uplifting, colourful, melodic, eclectic, sensual, healing...words don't adequately describe the seductive performance of Nagadif Gnawa (African Gnawa). Nagadif Gnawa brought their rich brand of music from the southern Moroccan capital city Taroudant to Momo's Kemia Bar in London on Tuesday, February 25, 2003. Visiting the UK for a few small showcases, Nagadif Gnawa are young and vibrant ambassadors of gnawa music, bringing to life a variety of instruments including the sintir (a 3-string bass lute), genga drum, and castanets. Nagadif Gnawa meld traditional and new sounds to create their own unique blend of soulful music.

For years, acclaimed jazz pianist Randy Weston has been creating music infused with African Gnawa spiritual and cultural experience. Weston is known for performances with master gnawa musicians. In turn, he and other jazz musicians are a major influence on young gnawa musicians today. Nagadif Gnawa are such a group -- combining jazz, reggae, goa trance, and other musical influences with their gnawa traditions. "We have in Morocco many bands, in Taroudant, in Marrakech. Taroudant is very rich in traditional music. It's not just gnawa, we also have dekka, trance and modern music (influences)," translates band member Hechan. The day following their show at the Kemia Bar he had joined band leaders Bouboul Boujamaa Roudani and Bouboul Mohammed at my home. We recorded a brief interview in a curious mixture of English, French and Arabic.

Popular with audiences in Morocco, Nagadif Gnawa perform in groups ranging from 2 to 40 members, many of whom are part of the same Bouboul family. Steeped in a tradition that includes women as equals, gnawa lyrics deal with many themes including the impact of slavery within Africa. "Gnawa is very old. It's 1,900 years old. If someone was ill and he heard the Gnawa, he would be in good and right health," explained Boujama and Hechan. A powerful healing force in the community, gnawa musicians perform in Morocco at Lilas such as all night healing ceremonies, weddings and other events.

Nagadif Gnawa are truly a group worth seeing. Hopefully you'll have a chance to experience the power of their music in upcoming festivals.

written by Marva Lord
Photos © 2003 marva lord