The Essaouira Gnaoua & World Music Festival

Known as Morocco’s Windy City, the medieval coastal city of Essaouira is around 2.5 hours drive from Marrakech.

The festival celebrates the music of the Gnouas, a mystic traditional style with branches as widespread as Haitian Voodoo and Brazilian Candomblé, a meeting of African magic and Islamic rituals. The Gnoua brotherhoods and their masters lead the music and dancing until the magicians are in a trance-like state. The music is dominated by drums, lute and castanets. However, there are also performances from avant-garde jazz groups and world music artists, making for an eclectic collection of musicians who will hold appeal to a variety of tastes. Experience authentic African music and culture at the Essaouira Gnoua & World Music Festival.