Latest news with #Maghrebi
CairoScene
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Select 332: Mixed by Cheb Runner
The Moroccan maverick treats us to a playful analog mix that jumps between Maghreb shaabi, disco, deep techno and dutch gabber. May 29, 2025 Joining us on this episode of our Select mix series is the one and only Cheb Runner. A musical hurricane rooted in Moroccan soil, Cheb Runner is a DJ, composer and producer who represents a new sound of in-betweenness, nurtured by a diverse array of musical influences that run back and forth in time. His sets often feature first-hand recordings from his expansive sample pack of traditional instrumentals. In addition to being a fixture at some of the biggest clubs and festivals across Europe, Cheb Runner is a resident at Ghana's Oroko Radio, a familiar face at Brussels' finest Kiosk Radio, and part of Rotterdam's (A)WAKE collective. Most recently, he has also joined the Brussels-based Not Your Techno family. For his select set, Cheb Runner delivers a playful analog mix, supported by a unique set of synthesisers, where traditional Maghrebi sounds and shaabi rhythms pulse through deep techno, disco and Dutch gabber. Listen to the full set below:
Morocco World
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Master Musicians of Jajouka Electrify Jnan Sbil at Fez Sacred Music Festival
Fez – The legendary Master Musicians of Jajouka, led by Bachir Attar, delivered a hypnotic performance in the lush gardens of Jnan Sbil last night as part of the 28th edition of the Fez World Sacred Music Festival. Their haunting, trance-inducing melodies, carried by the piercing wail of the ghaïta (Maghrebi oboe) and the relentless pulse of frame drums, transported the audience into a realm where ancient ritual and modern transcendence collide. Bachir Attar, leader of the Masters of Jajouka, spoke passionately to Morocco World News (MWN) about his musical heritage at the Fez World Sacred Music Festival. 'We are very happy to present ourselves at this festival,' he said. 'It's a great opportunity for Moroccans to learn about Jajouka. While not widely known here, important music researchers recognize its value. That's why we're honored to share this deep Moroccan tradition.' 'This is Morocco's oldest music, yet many have never heard it,' Attar continued. 'Being here at Fez's Sacred Music Festival is truly special. It's incredible how our music came from a small village near Ksar El Kebir to reach global stages. We've worked with legends – the Rolling Stones, Slash, Aerosmith, even Howard Shore who composed Lord of the Rings. He visited my village and we created music for The Cell starring Jennifer Lopez.' Attar said that his work wasn't about personal fame. 'It's about honoring my family's musical legacy, thousands of years old but little recognized.' He recalled memorable collaborations: 'The Rolling Stones had us on their Steel Wheels album – the track Continental Drift became beloved. Slash told me he adored it when we met at Woodstock '94.' 'This journey was never about me – it's preserving my family's art. Without them, I wouldn't have done this. Alhamdulillah, we've given this music the global platform it deserves.' His final words carried quiet pride: 'We've put Morocco's musical soul on the world stage – that's what matters most.' A legacy that echoes through time The village of Jajouka, nestled in the Rif Mountains, has been a wellspring of mystical sound for centuries. Their music, rooted in Sufi tradition and the rites of Boujeloud (the half-man, half-goat Pan-like figure), has captivated Western artists since the 1960s. The Rolling Stones' Brian Jones immortalized their sound in his 1968 album Brian Jones Presents the Pipes of Pan at Jajouka, while icons like Bob Dylan, Ornette Coleman, and William S. Burroughs, and most artists of the Beat Generation, have all fallen under their spell. Last night's performance was no exception. As the first notes of the ghaïta sliced through the air, the crowd, from festival pilgrims to local Moroccans, was immediately entranced. The musicians, clad in traditional green robes, worked their way through complex polyrhythms and spiraling harmonies and ended up creating a sonic masterpiece that felt primal and timeless. From the Beat Generation to Fez The connection between Jajouka and Western counterculture runs deep. As Bob Dylan once sang in 'Thunder on the Mountain', a line that could have been written for this very night: 'I don't need any guide, I already know the way.' Indeed, the Beat Generation found their way to Morocco in the 1950s, with William Burroughs, Brion Gysin, Paul Bowles, and Allen Ginsberg all drawn to the hypnotic sounds of Jajouka. Gysin even helped bring them to global attention by introducing them to Jones. Last night, Bachir Attar and his ensemble proved that their music remains as vital as ever. The interplay between the oboe's serpentine melodies and the relentless throb of percussion created an almost hallucinatory effect, blurring the line between sacred ritual and ecstatic celebration. The Fez World Sacred Music Festival, now in its 28th year, has long been a meeting point for spiritual and artistic traditions from across the globe. This year's theme, 'Renaissances' found a perfect expression in the Master Musicians of Jajouka, whose performance was less a concert than a ceremony, one that left the audience exhilarated and deeply moved. As the final notes faded into the night, the crowd erupted in applause, many visibly awestruck. For those who witnessed it, last night was a journey. And as Dylan might say, they didn't need a guide. The music showed them the way. Tags: Fez World Sacred Music FestivalJajoukaSufi music
CairoScene
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Oualid & Zeina
Moroccan singer-songwriter Oualid takes us through the writing process behind his collaborative hit with Zeina. Mar 30, 2025 In this episode of WORD, Moroccan singer-songwriter Oualid breaks down his collaborative hit with Lebanese-Egyptian singer Zeina, 'Allo Min'. He delves into the writing process behind the track, explaining how it came together with Zeina in one spontaneous studio session as well as the messages they intended to convey through the song's catchy hooks. Co-written by Oualid, Zeina and Mbarek Nouali and performed in a Maghrebi dialect, the track is a joyful blend of punchy R&B beats and Maghreb rhythms with pop sensibilities, delivering a refreshing lighthearted take on the theme of love and longing. It became one of the top 5 most Shazamed songs in Egypt in 2024.
Arab News
28-03-2025
- General
- Arab News
Demand for manuscripts from the Islamic west on the rise
Pablo Picasso once said that 'the purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.' Art collectors around the world partake in this soul-searching endeavor and Islamic art is emerging as a growing asset class. With some pieces more than 1,000 years old and ranging from the Maghreb to Mughal India and beyond, Islamic art has been highly valued for its craftsmanship, intricacy and elegance. Islamic art is by no means monolithic — from architecture to ceramics to Arabesque, the range of its offering is remarkable. Of these, calligraphy has historically been the most appreciated and sought-after form of creative expression, especially due to its association with the Qur'an. Combining the Arabic script with local traditions, Islamic calligraphy beautifully merges spirituality and aesthetics. It almost takes the form of divine expression representing the sacred nature of the written word in Islam. Manuscripts of the Islamic west — the Maghreb — are increasingly sought-after due to their unique calligraphic style and often their origination from Europe. Given the long history of Muslim Spain, Portugal and Sicily, these Arabic works represent Europe's Islamic past. Maghrebi calligraphy is also known for its distinctive features, including rounded letter forms with pointed tips and the slight rightward tilt of the letters, making it visually different from other Arabic calligraphy traditions. It is most commonly used in religious and legal texts, as well as poetry. In fact, Maghrebi calligraphy is an interesting form of decorative expression that narrates interchanges between Andalusia and North Africa, as styles and knowledge transferred in both directions during the medieval period. It evolved from the Kairouani Kufi style and its clarity and elegance made it a popular choice for transcribing the Qur'an under the Almohad dynasty. This style blends rigid, angular strokes inherited from Kufic with fluid, circular movements, creating a distinctive balance between structure and elegance. Combining the Arabic script with local traditions, Islamic calligraphy beautifully merges spirituality and aesthetics. Zaid M. Belbagi In the golden era of Al-Andalus from the eighth century to the 15th century, Andalusian artists refined the art of manuscript production, introducing sophisticated calligraphy and decorative techniques. This artistic tradition flourished in Morocco due to its deep historical ties with Islamic Spain. The Moors facilitated a dynamic exchange of knowledge, art and architecture between Spain and the Maghreb. With the advent of the Spanish Reconquista, Morocco became a refuge for Andalusian calligraphers who brought with them a rich artistic and intellectual heritage and made Moroccan cities like Fez, Tetouan and Rabat centers of Andalusian culture. Their influence is visible in both Morocco's architectural marvels and treasured manuscript collections. Auctions provide a crucial platform for the preservation of these cultural treasures, ensuring that they remain in the hands of appreciators and indeed in creating advocacy around the importance of these works. The art market, particularly in London, is witnessing a growing demand for manuscripts of the Islamic west. The success of Christie's and Sotheby's, in particular, in bringing art collectors and investors together has played a critical role in keeping conversations on Islamic art alive. The price of rare manuscripts — such as the best calligraphy of the Islamic west — has soared given the paucity of such invaluable artifacts and the ever-growing demand for them. Last year, Christie's sold a section of a 14th-century Merinid Moroccan copy of the Qur'an for £630,000 ($813,000), breaking a record for a Maghrebi work. A relic of Sultan Abu Inan Faris' era, it represented a watershed moment for the genre. In 2023, Plakas sold a single page of a ninth-century North African copy of the Qur'an for £75,000. These are record-breaking sales that indicate the demand for Islamic manuscripts. The premium that art collectors put on manuscripts reflects the rarity of these artifacts. The price of rare manuscripts has soared given the paucity of such invaluable artifacts and the ever-growing demand for them. Zaid M. Belbagi Last week, the Moroccan Embassy in London joined with Sotheby's to showcase 900-year-old works from the Belbagi collection. Benedict Carter, the head of Islamic and Indian art at the auction house, noted: 'This is a growing but undervalued corner of the Islamic art market, which will see much more interest in the coming years due to the age and rarity of some of these works.' The list of notable sales of Islamic manuscripts continues. Among them is a rare seventh-century Qur'anic manuscript, believed to have been written just two decades after the death of Prophet Muhammad. This manuscript was put on sale for €1 million ($1.08 million) at the European Fine Art Fair in the Netherlands in March 2024. Another remarkable sale occurred in June 2020, when a 15th-century Persian Qur'an manuscript fetched £7 million at Christie's. The manuscript is a unique piece, likely created at the court of a Timurid prince in present-day Iran or Afghanistan. Though London and the West in general are hubs for art collectors, the demand for Islamic art is growing well beyond. The ongoing Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah has been hailed as a milestone in the appreciation of Islamic art in the Middle East. Not only has it brought together international art collectors, but it has also encouraged audiences to question the very nature and scope of Islamic art. Manuscripts are invaluable time capsules providing a snapshot of the early periods of Islam and the diverse local traditions that make up Islamic culture. These timeless works of art have weaved together history, identity and art. The Islamic west has historically been a vibrant cultural hub and the elegance of its culture is reflected in Maghrebi calligraphy. As the demand for Islamic art grows, the manuscripts of the Maghreb, which have often been placed at the periphery of the Islamic world, will become increasingly invaluable for art collectors globally.
Al Etihad
25-03-2025
- Science
- Al Etihad
Zayed National Museum to display ancient tool highlighting Islamic astronomy traditions
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI) In an era of satellite navigation and digital mapping, finding one's way requires no more than glancing at a smartphone. But before GPS, people looked up to the sky to navigate the world, observing the sun by day and the stars by night. This ancient practice laid the foundation for "ilm al-falak", the science of astronomy, which flourished in the Islamic world. Among the most significant instruments developed in this field is the astrolabe, a beautifully crafted device that enabled astronomers to calculate the position of celestial bodies in relation to the horizon and meridian. This sophisticated tool will be on display at the Zayed National Museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the advanced astronomical knowledge of the Islamic world. "Astrolabes use information relating to time, location, and distance, playing an essential role in locating your position across the world," Roudha Al Shehhi, an associate curator at the Zayed National Museum, told Aletihad. "From the 8th century onwards, astrolabes have also been used in Islam as a tool to establish the direction of prayer toward Mecca, known as the Qibla, as well as the time for the five prayers required throughout the day." The astrolabe on display, crafted in Fez, Morocco, in the first decade of 1700s, is made of cast brass and adorned with intricate Maghrebi script. This tool serves as proof of how religious needs - such as keeping to prayer timings and locating the Qibla - were key motivations behind technological innovations during that time, Al Shehhi said. "Astrolabes are fascinating scientific instruments that offer a window into the era they were refined and perfected," she added. "For instance, the astrolabe that will be on display at Zayed National Museum features seven individual plates detailing the latitudes of major cities in the Islamic world, such as Mecca and Medina, emphasising both its religious and practical significance. It embodies all astronomical knowledge from the early Islamic period and astrolabe craftsmanship." Where to Find this Astrolabe The astrolabe will be showcased in the Zayed National Museum's "By Our Coasts" gallery, which explores the evolution of key coastal settlements through pearling, fishing, and trade. The gallery examines the role of local communities not only as catalysts for commercial and cultural exchange but also in informing Emirati identity. Alongside the astrolabe, visitors will also find the kamal, one of the earliest known navigation instruments. Used by Arab navigators as early as the 9th century, the kamal helped determine latitude by measuring the height of the North Star above the horizon. "The astrolabe and the kamal that will be displayed in the museum underscore the innovative spirit and enduring legacy of knowledge from the early Islamic period of history," Fatema Al Hammadi, a curator at Zayed National Museum, told Aletihad. "They tell us about the people of this region and the ways in which their innovation shaped our history and heritage." Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE, celebrates the country's rich history and culture. It also honours the legacy of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose vision and leadership continue to guide the country today. Renowned for his wisdom and humility, the life of the late Sheikh Zayed was defined by his deep devotion to his Islamic faith, determined leadership and belief in the power of unity. "The astrolabe stands as a testament to spirit of exploration and innovation that has shaped our history," Al Hammadi said. "We hope that visitors to the museum will be inspired by this and other stories and experience a sense of awe as they see how these remarkable tools have deepened our understanding of the world."
