Women redefine Gnaoua at Essaouira Festival

Africanews (in English)

Women redefine Gnaoua at Essaouira Festival  In Essaouira, the Gnaoua and World Music Festival opened with its signature festive parade through the medina, celebrating the city’s rich Gnaoua heritage. Once a tradition dominated by men, the festival’s 26th edition shone a spotlight on women artists who are redefining the genre.  READ MORE : http://www.africanews.com/2025/06/23/women-redefine-gnaoua-at-essaouira-festival  Subscribe on our Dailymotion channel and receive all the latest news from the continent.    Africanews is available in English and French.  Website : www.africanews.com  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/africanews.channel/  Twitter : https://twitter.com/africanews

Transcript

00:00In Asawira, the Guineara and World Music Festival opens with a parade through the Medina,

00:07celebrating the city's Guineara roots.

00:09Recognised by UNESCO in 2019,

00:12Guinewa is a spiritual music and a community of sub-Saharan origin in Morocco.

00:18Once an all-male tradition, the 26th edition shines a spotlight on women redefining the genre.

00:24Leading the way is Asma Hanzawi, who founded the first all-female Guinewa group 10 years ago.

00:34My parents are Guinewa. I grew up in this world, so I have my place here.

00:40Thank God I continue to play the music.

00:44I have my audience.

00:47There are people who love female Guinewa.

00:49It makes me happy and motivates me to keep going.

00:59Asama named her group Benat Timbuktu.

01:03She's performed in Mali, and for this festival, she's invited a powerful Malian voice, Rikia Kone.

01:10Together they share the stage on a symbolic track, Mariyama Sise.

01:15I was so proud of this collaboration.

01:26I hope we'll continue working together.

01:30And maybe I'll bring their culture into my songs.

01:34It was a first.

01:37But I hope it won't be the last.

01:39Another revelation, Hind Enayra.

01:50Born in Asura, she didn't come from a Guinewa family, but chose this path out of passion.

01:56She's debuting at the festival this year, embodying the new generation of female artists,

02:00slowly but surely making their mark in the world once dominated by men.

02:04A lot of girls are asking me for advice, and I'm always ready to help.

02:13The message is clear.

02:14Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa, and their voices are making a lasting impact.

02:18Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:19Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:20Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:21Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:22Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:23Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:24Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:25Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:26Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:27Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:28Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:29Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:30Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

02:31Women are here to stay in the world of Guinewa.

Category

Transcript

Recommended