Nass El Ghiwane () are a musical group established in 1969 in Casablanca, Morocco. 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, and is inspired by ancient North African Sufi poetry, most prominently that of Abderrahman El Majdoub, whose work was a direct inspiration to the band. They are also credited with helping bring a new social movement to Morocco.World Cinema Foundation The group was called "The Rolling Stones of Africa" by Martin Scorsese and was one of few Moroccan bands to receive international media attention.
Name In an interview with Al Bayan, explained that, in Morocco, the term Nass El Ghiwane ( "people of song") refers to practitioners of the malhun musical -.
In film
The band is the focus of music documentary Trances, directed by Ahmed El Maanouni, who described Nass El Ghiwane as Morocco's soul music. Originally released in 1981, it was restored in 2007 by the World Cinema Foundation at Cineteca di Bologna /L'Immagine Ritrovata Laboratory. The film was picked specifically by Martin Scorsese for the World Cinema Foundation's first release and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 and at Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakesh, Morocco. The film has since been distributed by the Criterion Collection.
The band's song "Ya Sah" appears in the film The Last Temptation of Christ and on the associated album Passion – Sources. The film's director, Martin Scorsese, credits Nass El Ghiwane with opening a new universe to him.
Nass El Ghiwane's music was featured in the award-winning 2023 documentaryThe Mother of All Lies.
Members
Abdelaziz al-Tahiri: Founding member, replaced by Abderrahmane Paco in 1974 Allal Yaala: Founding member, banjo player Boujmii Hgour: Singer, poet, composer. Founding member, played with the group until his death in 1974 Larbi Batma: Actor, singer, percussionist. Founding member, played with the group until his death in 1997 Omar Sayed: Singer, actor, percussion; founding member Abderrahmane "Paco" Kirouche (1948-2012): Singer, composer, played with the group until 1993 Raifak Redouane: 1991 to 2001 Mahmoud Saadi: Left the group in the 1970s Rachid Batma: Singer, percussionist, since 1996 Hamid Batma: Since 2000 Abdelkrim Chifa: Since 2002
Discography Assallama Hommage à Boudjemma Ya bani el-insan Ya Nass El Maana Wannadi Ana Taghounja Aali ou Khalli Houde Ennaana Soubhane Allah A lotf Allah el khafi Fine ghadi biya khouya Lebtana Narjak Ana la M'chite Ya saielni Mahmouma Oulad el Aalam L'jamra Salama
Live albums Nass El Ghiwane Live Olympia 76 El ghaba – Live Echams Etalaa – Live Olympia Nass el Ghiwane Live Casablanca Nass el Ghiwane Live (feat. Boudjemaa)
Contributing artist Passion – Sources (1989, Real World Records) The Rough Guide to the Music of Morocco (2004, World Music Network)
References
Gabriel, Peter. Liner notes. Passion – Sources by Various artists. Real World CDRW02, 1989.
Further reading