Nass El Ghiwane
Encyclopedia
Nass El Ghiwane are a musical group established in 1971 in Casablanca
, Morocco
. Their song "Ya Sah" appears in the film The Last Temptation of Christ
and on the associated album Passion – Sources. The group, which originated in avant-garde
political theater, has played an influential role in Moroccan chaabi
(or shaabi). Nass El Ghiwane were the first band to introduce Western instruments like the modern banjo
. Their music incorporates a trance
aesthetic, reflecting the influence of local Gnawa music
. Although their music is more vocal-based than Raï
music, they can be considered among Raï influences. Khaled
, a prominent Raï singer, began his career performing Nass El Ghiwane songs at weddings and parties.
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
, Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. Their song "Ya Sah" appears in the film The Last Temptation of Christ
The Last Temptation of Christ (film)
The Last Temptation of Christ is a 1988 drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a film adaptation of the controversial 1953 novel of the same name by Nikos Kazantzakis. It stars Willem Dafoe as Jesus Christ, Harvey Keitel as Judas Iscariot, Barbara Hershey as Mary Magdalene, David Bowie as...
and on the associated album Passion – Sources. The group, which originated in avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
political theater, has played an influential role in Moroccan chaabi
Chaabi (Morocco)
Chaabi is a popular music of Morocco, combines folk music with chaabi from Fes, some would consider it similar to the Algerian Raï.- Artists :* Amine Zamel* Yassine Al 9wad* Mansour l3etay* Daoudi* Sophia l9ehba* Hamid Rassl9elwa* Abdessamad Amzerin...
(or shaabi). Nass El Ghiwane were the first band to introduce Western instruments like the modern banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
. Their music incorporates a trance
Trance
Trance denotes a variety of processes, ecstasy, techniques, modalities and states of mind, awareness and consciousness. Trance states may occur involuntarily and unbidden.The term trance may be associated with meditation, magic, flow, and prayer...
aesthetic, reflecting the influence of local Gnawa music
Gnawa music
Gnawa music is a mixture of sub-Saharan African, Berber, and Sufi religious songs and rhythms. It combines music and acrobatic dancing. The music is both a prayer and a celebration of life...
. Although their music is more vocal-based than Raï
Raï
Raï is a form of folk music that originated in Oran, Algeria from Bedouin shepherds, mixed with Spanish, French, African and Arabic musical forms, which dates back to the 1930s....
music, they can be considered among Raï influences. Khaled
Khaled (musician)
Khaled Hadj Ibrahim , better known as Khaled, is a raï singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born in Sidi El Houari in Oran Province of Algeria...
, a prominent Raï singer, began his career performing Nass El Ghiwane songs at weddings and parties.