Morocco’s annual Gnaoua and World Music Festival returned to Essaouira with a vibrant celebration of African heritage, drawing thousands of visitors to the UNESCO-listed coastal city. Now in its 27th edition, the festival showcases the rich traditions of Gnaoua music, which traces its origins to communities descended from enslaved people brought from sub-Saharan Africa. Festival founder Neila Tazi said the event was designed to spotlight a culture long overlooked in mainstream narratives despite its rich history. This year’s lineup featured acclaimed Cameroonian bassist Richard Bona after an eight-year absence, along with a collaboration between young Gnaoua musician Mehdi Qamoum and New York’s Harlem Spirit of Gospel choir. Organizers say the festival has evolved beyond music into a broader celebration of African identity and cultural exchange, with plans already underway for its 2027 edition.
Africanews