Berber music
The
Berbers are an
ethnic group in
North and
West Africa. Their music is widely varying across the area they inhabit, but is best known for its place in
Moroccan music, the popular
Kabylian music of
Algeria and the widespread
Tuareg music of
Burkina Faso,
Niger and
Mali.
Main article: music of Algeria
The region of
Kabylia in Algeria has a very large Berber population. Traditional Kabylian music consists of vocalists accompanied by a
rhythm section, consisting of
t'bel (
tambourine) and
bendir (frame
drum), and a
melody section, consisting of a
ghaita (
bagpipe) and
ajouag (
flute).
Kabylian music has been famous in
France since the
1930s, when it was played at
cafés. As it evolved, Western
string instruments and
Arab musical conventions, like large backing
orchestras, were added. After the independence of Algeria and Kabylian culture was oppressed, many musicians began to adopt politicized lyrics. The three most popular musicians of this era were
Ferhat,
Aït Menguellet and
Idir, whose "A Vava Inouva" (
1973) brought international attention for Kabylian music and laid the groundwork for the breakthrough of
raï.
By the time raï, a style of Algerian popular music, became popular in France and elsewhere in Europe, Kabylian artists were also moving towards
popular music conventions.
Hassen Zermani's all-electric
Takfarinas and
Abdelli's work with
Peter Gabriel's
Real World helped bring Kabylian music to new audiences, while the murder of
Matoub Lounes inspired many Kabylians to rally around their popular musicians.
Modern singers include
Djur Djura and
Houri Aichi.
Main article: Music of Morocco
|
Berber musicians from the Ourika valley |
Berbers are a solid majority of Morocco's population, but are nevertheless politically marginalized. Their most famous musical output is likely
Najat Aatabou, a singer whose debut cassette, "J'en ai Marre", sold an unprecedented half a million copies in Morocco. Internationally, the
Master Musicians of Joujouka are also well-known, as a result of their collaboration with
Brian Jones of the
Rolling Stones and poet
William Burroughs.
Main articles: Music of Mali, Niger and Burkina FasoThe Tuareg live in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, and have produced an internationally renowned band in
Tartit. Their traditional music uses rhythms and vocal styles similar to the music of other Berbers and
Arab music, while West African
call-and-response-style singing is also common. In contrast to many of the region's peoples, among the Tuareg, music is mostly the domain of women, especially the
imzhad, a string instrument like a
violin. Tuareg
weddings feature unique styles of music, such as the vocal trilling of women and special dances (
ilkan) of slaves marking the occasion.
*
Music of Morocco*
Master Musicians of Joujouka*
Joujouka*
Master Musicians of Joujouka*
Fabchannel.com - Watch a great video of a Najat Aatabou concert
