This a rare performance of the Jewish songbook of the Moroccan gnawa repertoire. Innov Gnawa, is part of an ancient Moroccan musical tradition that transcends religious distinctions. Jews first settled in what is now Morocco as early as 70 CE, and at its peak in the 1940s, Morocco’s Jewish population exceeded 250,000. Early communities settled among and were made up of converted Berbers. A second wave of Sephardic Jews settled in the region after being expelled from the Kingdoms of Spain in 1492. The mixing of both of these influences created a unique music and culture, which greatly influenced surrounding populations. The gnawa repertoire performed tonight highlights both of those influences.
Filmed by Thomas Kessler
