The Aissawa

Collection title

Music of Morocco

ID

2MT00022

Source

SOREAD-2M (MA)

First broadcast date

03/01/1994

Production year

1994

Abstract

The Aissawa brotherhood is a mystical-religious order founded in Meknés, Morocco by Mohamed Ben Aissa (Chaykh-Al- Kâmil). The Aissawa are famous, in the Arab world, for their spiritual music characterized by the use of the oboe (ghaita) instrument, the collective singing of religious hymns accompanied by an orchestra of percussion using polyrhythm elements. Their complex ritual ceremony, which features symbolic dances leading participants to trance, takes place in different types of celebrations as religious festivals, the Mawlid ( prophet’s birth) or wedding ceremonies.

Type

video

Production companies

• 2M - Own production

Broadcaster

2M - 2M

Audiovisual form

Documentary

Primary theme

Music and songs

Secondary themes

• Society and way of life / Festivals and traditions

Credits / Cast

• Mohamed Lichir - Director

Period of events

• 1992

Map locations

• Morocco - North - Meknes

Original language

Arabic

Media running time

6m26

Additional information