Rare group of female gnawa with the exceptional Mâalema Asmâa Hamzaoui and its musicians from Morocco. Originally from Casablanca, Asmâa Hamzaoui, 21 years old, daughter of Maâlem (great master) Rachid Hamzaoui, is on the way to becoming one of the new energies of Morocco of the 21st century. She plays Gumbri, The sacred instrument of Gnawa music and culture. This wooden and goat skin instrument, A sort of three -string lute that we hit is traditionally reserved for men.

Initiated at the age of six by his father, She has mastered the practice at 9 years old and is now one of the very rare (if not the only one - we think in particular of the Algerian septuagenarian Hasna El Becharia and her Diwan) to play this sacred instrument in public.

Indeed women are allowed to handle the lute, but in private, Unthinkable to hear them during the esoteric ceremonies and rituals of tagnouite art (the tradition of gnawas). Generations of Maâlems are transmitted this title from father to son. There is a specific role devolved to women in tagnouite: that of clairvoyant therapist, Who comes back to organize the Lila (trance evening) and accompany the ritual to its end. But the musical function continues to be a male prerogative.

Determined more than rebellious, Asmâa broke this taboo, In 2017 at the Gnawa festival in Essaouira with his exclusively feminine group Bnat Timbouktou (Les Filles de Timbouktou). According to everyone, One of the most striking events in this edition. A service full of authority, charming and also revealed an incredible vocal talent. The group consists of Aicha Hamzaoui, Asmâa's sister, of Soukaina Emeliji and Lamgammah Hind. All handles the crotals (the karkabous, Metal hand percussion, Another pillar of Gnawa music) and choirs. Determined above all to feminize an art that they respect above all and that they hope to be able to present around the world.

Now holder of the title of Maâlema, Asmâa Hamzaoui, Burns the steps and burns for his art. However, she claims to get more attached to the musical aspect, cultural and heritage of the Gnawa tradition at the expense of its ritual and esoteric aspect.

What is no doubt is that she believes in her destiny and her mission to feminize a still very macho field. Play music, Perform on stage with your gumber, Passes today before any other consideration.

For twenty years in Essaouira, in Morocco, The Gnawa festival brings together the masters of Gnawa music and artists from all countries. In front of an international audience, We celebrate the tradition of a culture and its openness to the world. The attraction exercised by Gnawa music on Western musicians is not new. Already in the 60s, Jimi Hendrix dragged his fender on the side of Essaouira and, Before Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, Jazzman Randy Weston and many others had drew their inspiration from this Moroccan trance music.

Recorded between Casablanca and Stockholm (the Ajabu label! Is Swedish), This first album, "Oulad Lghaba" ("The children of the forest") is the first stone in the emancipation garden of an artist who is not cold in the eyes and which we should hear about everywhere and soon.