Nass El Ghiwane

Nass El Ghiwane
Nass El Ghiwane, in 1972
Background information
OriginCasablanca, Morocco
GenresMoroccan
Years active1971 (1971)–present
MembersRachid Batma, Hamid Batma, Redouane Raifak, Allal Yaala, Omar Sayed
Past membersAbd El-Aziz Tahiri, Abderahmane Kirouche (Paco), Boujemaa Brahim, Larbi Batma

Nass El Ghiwane (Arabic: ناس الغيوان) are a musical group established in 1970 in Casablanca, Morocco.[1][2] The group, which originated in avant-garde political theater,[3] has played an influential role in Moroccan chaabi (or shaabi).[2]

Nass El Ghiwane were the first band to introduce Western instruments like the modern banjo. Their music incorporates a trance aesthetic, reflecting the influence of local gnawa music,[4] and is inspired by ancient North African Sufi poetry, most prominently that of Abderrahman El Majdoub, whose work was a direct inspiration to the band. They are also credited with helping bring a new social movement to Morocco.[5] The group was called “The Rolling Stones of Africa” by Martin Scorsese[6] and was one of few Moroccan bands to receive international media attention.[7]

  1. ^ Badri, Mona. "Nass El Ghiwane: story of a Moroccan Legend". Moroccan World News. Moroccan World News. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference eyre was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cartwright, Garth. "BBC Radio Awards for World Music 2008". BBC Radio. BBC Radio. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference kapchan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ World Cinema Foundation [full citation needed]
  6. ^ Alami, Aida (6 June 2012). "Moroccan Artists Earn Applause but Little in Royalties". The New York Times.
  7. ^ "Vidéo. Il y a 20 ans, Larbi Batma nous quittait". Le360.ma. Retrieved 14 November 2022.