Gnawa Child Cap – South Morocco

Mid 20th century. Cowrie shells, old glass beads, metal element added. Cm. 23,0 x cm. 17,5 (9.05″ x 6.88″). Diameter apporox. cm. 16,0 (6.29″). Grams 377,4 (13.31″).

The term “GNAWA” refers to a North African ethnic minority that traces its origins to West African slaves and soldiers. Gnawa communities in the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia) trace their origins to Sudan, not meaning the present-day nation of Sudan, but rather, sub-Saharan Africa in general.

Like the term “African-American,” GNAWA refers to a general group of people whose ancestors came from diverse regions of Africa but took on a collective identity in exile. Historical documents make mention of a black African presence and musical tradition in North Africa as early as the eleventh century.

While adopting Islam, Gnawa continued to celebrate ritual possession during rituals where they are devoted to the practice of the dances of possession and fright. This rite of possession is called Jedba. Gnawa music mixes classical Islamic Sufism with pre-Islamic African traditions, whether local or sub-Saharan.