Music of Morocco - Reviving its History

By Abia Gill

When the instrument produce the sounds and make the symphony more apprehended  your brain cells then the sound is much effected. We talk about different variation of music and instrument, however every nation when suffered immense casualties and cruelty there was a fragment of light called music that enthralls the heart and kept the people motivated. The language that is universal and is being spoken by everyone, atleast it is emancipated from the barriers we call customs and traditions today. One of the enriched city I would love to mention is a Moroccan music, there are types of music and kinds of variation that Morocco is representing ,

Chaabi or Griha music,

Andalusian music,

Berber music

Gnawa Music

Malhun Music

Ra'i and Sephardic

Chabbi Invention

Presently, there are numerous variations and blended music has arrived which gathers the mist of sweet symphony. Moroccan Chabbi music was invented in 1930s in French protectorate era in Morocco, the musicians did not study Chabbi music but it was an expression to the revolt against the brutalities Moroccan people were facing, the songs were sung in Arabic or Darija. The city had no access to the radios so Chabbi music and artists were in demand and the music was much influential even for the newly renovated stated such as Syria and Egypt. As the era passed, in 1970s the Chabbi developed and musicians started to blend with the American music and has somewhat an invited a political taste into it. New instruments and transportation was introduced to the band, the first Chabbi Moroccan band was Presently, there are numerous variations and blended music has arrived which gathers the mist of sweet symphony. Moroccan Chabbi music was invented in 1930s in French protectorate era in Morocco, the musicians did not study Chabbi music but it was an expression to the revolt against the brutalities Moroccan people were facing, the songs were sung in Arabic or Darija. The city had no access to the radios so Chabbi music and artists were in demand and the music was much influential even for the newly renovated stated such as Syria and Egypt. As the era passed, in 1970s the Chabbi developed and musicians started to blend with the American music and has somewhat an invited a political taste into it. New instruments and transportation was introduced to the band, the first Chabbi Moroccan band was Lemchaheb who introduced the courage to speak for the rights and turn their poetry into a medium of connecting politically to the government. 

Andalusian Taste

The mastermind Ziryab who studied in Bagdad basically invested the sort which is now popular in modern Morocco, So the blend of Iranian and Moroccan music made its tale to tell the generations. The Andalusian music was spread in Morocco in 10th Century, however the notion of impious deed rouse in the city in the reign of Berber Almohad Calipahte in 12th Century. 

The Instruments Speaks

The instruments that are being used for those surreal melodies, We call it ‘Rubab’, an amazing instrument plucked from the land of Central Asia known as 'Kabuli Rebab' . With such beautiful meaning The instruments that are being used for those surreal melodies, We call it ‘Rubab’, an amazing instrument plucked from the land of Central Asia known as 'Kabuli Rebab' . With such beautiful meaning the sounds it throws is mesmerizing to the ears. Krakebs, Sintir and Tbilat , The instruments has spiritual characteristics representing the West African culture and it connects with the history when the tribes were going through a tough time to make is history.  Sintirs are the three strings based lute and played by the musicians’ mostly in solo performances and can be used in group performances and Tiblit the table rhythm which is played on the narration of poetries and instrumental tracks and adds beauty to the message when played through instruments. 

The Blended Mantra  

There are numerous variations as Moroccan music is heavily diversified with various nations. Sephardic music is basically derived from Jewish era, when they were being expulsed from Spain , so the refugees who migrated to Morocco usually danced to the tunes of Sephardic music. So as the Ra'i music which is derived from Algeria in 1920s , followed with the era of World War I , Ra'i means advice and the music was kept with the great reason as it was revolutionary music for the locals through which they appeared with immense opinions. The young generation stood against the rivalries and drugs and other anti-thesis theories which were against the religion Islam. The music was popular amongst French and Spanish shepards , however it was suppressed by the Marxist Algerian government due to the non conservative notions which made Ra'i popular in young generation immensely. It was the way of communicating to the world actually where the music was heard and opinions mattered. 

It was an excellent way to talk to the world when Morocco was deriving from ruins to transformation, where the poets were more powerful than politicians , where the poets ran the battle of throwing the most beautiful and meaningful word to win the battle. So music has built such an empathy in the foundations of the Moroccan coast that the traditions may keep the rhythm safe and sound.