Nass El Ghiwane in Paris

Nass El Ghiwane is a Moroccan group formed in Casablanca in 1970. Their music draws on chaabi, Gnawa rhythms and Sufi poetry, carried by percussion and traditional string instruments. Songs including “Essiniya,” “Mahmouma” and “Fine Ghadi Biya Khouya” established their repertoire across generations. Nass El Ghiwane performed at the Olympia in Paris as their concerts reached audiences beyond Morocco. Their work onstage is also preserved in Trances (Al Hal), Ahmed El Maanouni’s documentary of the group in performance and rehearsal.