Source: http://www.themoroccanbazaar.com
Morocco is home to Andalusian classical music that is found throughout North Africa. It probably evolved under the Moors in Cordoba, and the Persian-born musician Ziryab is usually credited with its invention. Ziryab invented the nuba, a suite which forms the basis of al-âla, the primary form of Andalusian classical music today, along with Gharnati and Malhun.
There used to be twenty-four nuba linked to each hour of the day, but only four nuba have survived in their entirety, and seven in fragmentary form. An entire nuba can last six or seven hours and are divided into five parts called mizan, each with a corresponding rhythm. The rhythms occur in the following order in a complete nuba:
- basît (6/4)
- qaum wa nusf (8/4)
- darj (4/4)
- btâyhi (8/4)
- quddâm (3/4 or 6/8)
Each mizan begins with instrumental preludes called either tuashia, m’shaliya or bughya, followed by as many as twenty songs (sana’a) in the entire mizan.
Andalusian classical schools are spread across Morocco, having left Spain when the Moors and Jews were driven out of the country. Valencia’s school is now in Fez, while Granada’s is located in Tetouan and Chefchaouen. Cities like Tangier and Meknes have their own orchestras as well.
Jews in Morocco played an important role in the perpetuation of this oral tradition. In fact, the late Rabbi David Bouzaglo was known to have a conservatory of sorts in Casablanca where a number of Arab and Jewish musicians trained in al-Ala.
Andalusian classical music uses instruments including oud (lute), rabab (fiddle), darbouka (goblet drums), taarija (tambourine), qanún (zither) and kamenjah (violin). Other instruments have included pianos, banjos and clarinets, though none of these instruments lasted for long.
Gharnati
Gharnati is primarily Algerian, but is also popular in Rabat and Oujda in Morocco. It is arranged in nuba like al-âla; there are four unfinished nuba and twelve complete ones. Orchestras consist of kvîtra, mandolin, banjo, oud and kamenjah. The word “Gharnati” comes from the Andalusian city of Granada. Granada symbolizes the fertile ground for Andalusian Art.
Tags: bedrooms, chandeliers, decor, decorating, design, fashion, furniture, henna, home, home decor, interior design, lamps, lanterns, lighting, living rooms, moroccan, moroccan furniture, Moroccan lamps, music
