The rhythmic beats of Qraqeb, the hypnotic melodies of the guembri, and the powerful voices carrying centuries-old chants once again resonated through the ochre city as Marrakech hosted the 8th edition of the Gnawa Show Festival between May 8 and 10, 2025. As custodians of Gnawa cultural heritage at Dar Gnawa Museum, we are honored to highlight this significant celebration that continues to elevate this sacred musical tradition to new heights on the global stage.
A Cultural Convergence at Jemaâ El Fna
Under the aegis of the Association Le Grand Atlas, and organized by the Association Hmiti, the 8th Gnawa Show Festival emerges as a pivotal cultural landmark in Marrakech’s rich tapestry of traditions. This edition promises to transform the iconic Jemaâ El Fna square into a sanctuary of Afro-Moroccan cultural expression.
A Convergence of Maestros and Emerging Talents
The 8th edition will showcase the exceptional talents of ten Gnawa masters (Maalems) from diverse regions of Morocco, creating a rich mosaic of regional interpretations within this revered tradition. The festival has established a reputation for featuring performances by renowned artists who carry forward this sacred heritage.
Previous editions have featured luminaries such as Soufiane El Bour, Housni Karadi, Imad Hmitti, and Maalems Yasssine El Bour, Othmane Hmitti, and Baali Bousso. The festival also serves as a platform for emerging talent, fostering the next generation of Gnawa practitioners through performances, workshops, and improvisation sessions, ensuring this cultural treasure continues to thrive.
Bridging Worlds Through Rhythmic Dialogue
At its core, Gnawa Show represents a profound cultural amalgamation-a space where traditional Afro-ancestral music generates collective dialogue and cross-cultural exchange. This edition aims to further cement its role as a unique opportunity for world music encounters at an international level, acknowledging the “fulgurant rise” of Gnawa music’s popularity across the globe.
The festival’s design intentionally creates opportunities for musical fusion, bringing together artists from diverse backgrounds and horizons to celebrate an ancestral musical tradition while simultaneously pushing its boundaries through creative innovation. This approach mirrors our own work at Dar Gnawa Museum, where we continuously seek to balance tradition with contemporary relevance.
A Cultural Partnership: Dar Gnawa Museum and Gnawa Show Festival
As Marrakech’s sanctuary for Gnawa culture, Dar Gnawa Museum views the Gnawa Show Festival as a vital complementary force in our shared mission to preserve and promote this invaluable cultural heritage. While the festival offers a dynamic, immersive experience of live Gnawa traditions, our museum provides visitors with deeper context through our collection of traditional instruments, costumes, and artifacts that illuminate the historical journey of Gnawa culture.
During the festival period, we at Dar Gnawa Museum offered special exhibitions, documentary screenings, and interactive workshops that enhance visitors’ appreciation of the performances they witness at Jemaâ El Fna. Our museum serves as an intellectual and spiritual anchor for those seeking to understand the profound dimensions of what they experience during the festival celebrations.
Preserving Heritage, Inspiring Futures
The 8th edition of the Gnawa Show Festival represents another vital step in the ongoing journey to honor, preserve, and evolve one of humanity’s most powerful musical traditions. It stands as a living testament to music’s ability to transcend historical trauma, cultural boundaries, and linguistic differences-creating spaces of collective healing and celebration.
As Dar Gnawa Museum continues its mission to safeguard and illuminate this precious cultural heritage, we invite both Moroccans and international visitors to join us for what promises to be a transformative cultural experience-one that connects us to our shared past while inspiring new creative pathways into our collective future.
