Instruments

Traditional Instruments

18 instruments across Morocco's performance traditions.

Bell

PERCUSSION
Naqus ناقوس
Metal bell struck with stick. Used in Dakka Marrakchia.…

Bells

PERCUSSION
Swisen سويسن
Small finger cymbals. Used in Malhun and classical music.…

Drum

PERCUSSION
Tbel طبل
Large double-headed drum. Used in Gnawa, Issawa, and various folk traditions.…

Fiddle

STRING
Rabab رباب
Bowed string instrument. Used in Andalusi orchestras and Amazigh traditions.… STRING
Ribab رباب
One-stringed Amazigh fiddle. Used by Rwais musicians.…

Frame Drum

PERCUSSION
Alloun ألون
Small Amazigh frame drum. Used in Ahidous.… PERCUSSION
Bendir بندير
Large frame drum with snares. Used across Amazigh and Sufi traditions.… PERCUSSION
Talount تالونت
Amazigh frame drum. Used in Ahwach and Taskiwin.…

Goblet Drum

PERCUSSION
Darbuka دربوكة
Goblet-shaped drum. Foundational rhythm instrument across Moroccan genres.… PERCUSSION
Taârija تعريجة
Small clay goblet drum. Distinctive to Dakka Marrakchia.…

Idiophone

PERCUSSION
Qraqeb قراقب
Metal castanets played in pairs. Provide the driving rhythm in Gnawa ceremonies.…

Lute

STRING
Guembri گنبري
Three-stringed bass lute. Central instrument of Gnawa music. Made from carved wood with camel skin.… STRING
Hajhouj هجهوج
Another name for Guembri used in some regions.… STRING
Lottar لوطار
Four-stringed Amazigh lute. Used by Rwais poet-musicians.… STRING
Oud عود
Fretless lute. Central to classical Andalusi, Malhun, and Chaabi music.… STRING
Sintir سنتير
Alternative name for Guembri. Three-stringed bass lute.…

Oboe

WIND
Ghaita غيطة
Double-reed horn. Powerful outdoor instrument used in celebrations and Sufi rituals.…

Violin

STRING
Kamanja كمانجة
Moroccan-style violin playing. Used in Andalusi and Aita music.…