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Dar Gnawa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Dar Gnawa is a historic home and cultural site in the old city of Tangier dedicated to the musical traditions of Gnawa.[1] It is the home of artist M’alem Abdellah El Gourd [fr].[1][2]

It became the first officially recognized center for Gnawa music in 1980.[1]

History

Artists started meeting at Dar Gnawa in the 1960s.[1] In 1967, El Gourd met Randy Weston, whose music and scholarship promoted the now accepted idea that jazz is fundamentally African music.[1] The two played at Dar Gnawa for years before embarking on a world tour together.[1] Other artists who performed with El Gourd include Dexter Gordon, Odetta, and Billy Harper.[1]

Dar Gnawa became the first officially recognized center for Gnawa music in 1980.[1]

In 2021, the El Gourd family moved out of the house, which was in a state of disrepair and at risk of collapse, in order for necessary renovations.[1] In 2023, Dar Gnawa reopened to receive guests after renovations were completed.[3]

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Architecture

Dar Gnawa is a Moorish-style house that represents a mix of architectural styles, reflecting various international and Mediterranean influences.[1] Behind a traditional Moroccan door, there is an interior courtyard with a stairwell of Italian marble with zellij tiles.[1] Elsewhere, there are Italian doors and Spanish and Portuguese tiles.[1]

References

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