Dar Gnawa is a historic home and cultural site in the old city of Tangier dedicated to the musical traditions of Gnawa.[1] It is the home of artist M’alem Abdellah El Gourd.[1][2]
It became the first officially recognized center for Gnawa music in 1980.[1]
History
editArtists started meeting at Dar Gnawa in the 1960s.[1] In 1967, El Gourd met Randy Weston, whose music and scholarship promoted the now accepted idea that jazz is fundamentally African music.[1] The two played at Dar Gnawa for years before embarking on a world tour together.[1] Other artists who performed with El Gourd include Dexter Gordon, Odetta, and Billy Harper.[1]
Dar Gnawa became the first officially recognized center for Gnawa music in 1980.[1]
In 2021, the El Gourd family moved out of the house, which was in a state of disrepair and at risk of collapse, in order for necessary renovations.[1] In 2023, Dar Gnawa reopened to receive guests after renovations were completed.[3]
Architecture
editDar Gnawa is a Moorish-style house that represents a mix of architectural styles, reflecting various international and Mediterranean influences.[1] Behind a traditional Moroccan door, there is an interior courtyard with a stairwell of Italian marble with zellij tiles.[1] Elsewhere, there are Italian doors and Spanish and Portuguese tiles.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Alami, Aida (2021-08-21). "The Struggle to Save a House of Music, and Its Legacy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
- ^ IDN (2021-08-23). "Friends Of Moroccan 'Gnawa' Music Rally To Save Cultural Icon". Eurasia Review. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
- ^ دار كناوة بطنجة تعود لاستقبال زوارها بعد إعادة ترميمها (in Arabic). Le360. 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2024-05-16 – via YouTube.