Morocco is a country of the liveliest culture and one of the deepest-rooted musical traditions. From the most animated streets in Marrakech to quiet villages in the Atlas Mountains, Moroccan instruments are an indispensable part of the country’s musical heritage. The sounds they produce are out of this world, taking one to the very core of Moroccan culture.
Traditional Moroccan Instruments: The Heart of Folk Music
Music plays a vital role in every Moroccan culture. Various instruments, starting with strings and percussion and ending with wind instruments, play an essential role in making specific melodies individuate the music of Morocco from many aspects. Whether Gnawa, Andalusian, or Berber, these instruments rhythmically add up to the heartbeat of every performance.
Traditional Popular Instruments of Morocco
Bendir: Rhythmic Heartbeat of Morocco
Bendir: This is a wood-framed drum originating from Morocco, usually with animal skin set on and metal snares inside the frame. Its origin is in folk music and Sufi music for deep, resonant sound during spiritual and celebratory performances.
Nai (Ney, Nay): The Enchanting Flute
The Nai is a long, six-holed bamboo flute. Its sound is soft and touching, with gentle and haunting tones. It belongs to the very oldest Moroccan traditional instruments, as a solo player or part of an ensemble; it adds that mystic touch to Moroccan music.
Rabab: Soulful String Instrument
The Rabab is a bowed string instrument with a wooden body and a curvilinear neck. This instrument is really famous for its deep and melancholic sound. It is widely used in traditional Moroccan and Andalusian music. This instrument usually accompanies storytelling and poetic recitations.
Lotar: The Berber Lute
The Lotar is a stringed instrument used by mainly Berber musicians in the Atlas Mountains. It looks very much like a lute, with warm, mellow tones that give it a solid place in traditional Moroccan folk music.
Qraqeb: The Gnawa Castanets
The Qraqeb, or krakeb, are large iron castanets used in Gnawa music. These percussion instruments give off a rattling sound-a very peculiar rhythm that drives the trance-like beats of Gnawa performances, mostly accompanying spiritual ceremonies and festivals.
Sintir: The Gnawa Bass Guitar
The Sintir is a three-stringed instrument related to the bass guitar, which is played by plucking these strings while at the same time striking the body for percussion. It is one of the most important instruments of Gnawa music because of its hypnotic, meditative effects.
Instrument Morocco: Where to Experience Traditional Moroccan Music
In fact, throughout Morocco, there is ample opportunity to enjoy its rich musical heritage: from street performers in Jemaa el-Fna Square, Marrakech, to the small, isolated desert camps, the music of Morocco remains internationally popular.
For the avid music lover or the traveler who is bent on absorbing the culture of Morocco, the listening becomes a never-to-forget experience. Rich and historic, every note played on a Moroccan instrument tells tales of tradition and passion.
Thanks for reading about Morocco instruments! Continue reading for more insights about Moroccan culture and music.
