Traditions

Performance Forms

18 documented traditions across Morocco's musical landscape.

CONTEMPORARY

Contemporary Dance الرقص المعاصر
Casablanca / Marrakech Modern dance scene emerging in urban Morocco. Blends traditional movement with contemporar…
Gnawa Fusion كناوة فيوجن
Various Contemporary fusion blending Gnawa with jazz, rock, and electronic music. Emerged from fes…

DANCE

Ahidous أحيدوس
Middle Atlas Amazigh collective dance from Middle Atlas. Dancers form shoulder-to-shoulder lines, accom…
Ahwach أحواش
High Atlas / Anti-Atlas Collective Amazigh dance-poetry tradition. Features call-and-response between male and fem…
Reggada الركادة
Oriental Morocco Rifle dance from northeastern Morocco. Originally a war dance, now performed at celebratio…
Taskiwin تاسكيوين
Western High Atlas Martial dance from the Taroudant region. Dancers hold decorated horn containers while perf… ★ UNESCO

MUSIC

Aita عيطة
Atlantic Plains Traditional sung poetry from the Atlantic plains. Often addresses themes of love, separati…
Andalusi الأندلسي
Fez / Tetouan Classical music tradition descended from Al-Andalus. Performed in nubas (suites). Preserve… ★ UNESCO
Chaabi الشعبي
Urban Morocco Popular urban folk music. Blend of rural and urban traditions. Performed at weddings and c…
Dakka Marrakchia دقة مراكشية
Marrakech High-energy percussion ensemble from Marrakech. Features copper drums, cymbals, and call-a…
Gharnati الغرناطي
Oujda / Rabat Andalusian classical music tradition. Originated in Granada, preserved in eastern Morocco.…
Malhun الملحون
Fez / Meknes Classical Moroccan sung poetry tradition. Sophisticated lyrics on love, religion, and soci…
Rwais الروايس
Souss-Massa Amazigh professional poet-musician tradition from southern Morocco. Traveling bards who pe…

RITUAL

Gnawa كناوة
Essaouira / Marrakech Spiritual music tradition of sub-Saharan origin. Combines Islamic Sufi practices with pre-… ★ UNESCO
Guedra كدرة
Sahara / Guelmim Trance ritual from Saharan Morocco. Features a kneeling dancer entering spiritual states. …
Hamadcha حمادشة
Fez / Meknes Sufi brotherhood tradition known for intense trance rituals. Devotees of Sidi Ali ben Hamd…
Issawa عيساوة
Meknes / Fez Sufi brotherhood music tradition. Features trance-inducing rhythms and spiritual chanting.…
Sufi Hadra حضرة صوفية
Various Sufi spiritual gathering with music and dhikr (remembrance). Various brotherhoods have dis…