Citadelic festival 2024 

JUNE 2 - 12H

showcase competition Citadelic @ Ensemble
    band 4:  Imane Guemssy (MA)
           Gnaoua music

Gnaoua music is a form of trance and spiritual healing music created in Morocco by the descendants of slaves from various African tribes. The Gnaoua art is orally transmitted from father to son. The mâalam is the leader of the group and the one who manages the trance ceremonies called Lila. He plays the key instrument of this ancient art: the Guembri (a type of North African bass lute) and the Tbel (drum). The Koyos are the choristers who sing and accompany the mâalam by playing the Krakebs (a Mediterranean percussion instrument).

Imane Guemssy is the first woman of her generation in Morocco to break the taboo by deciding to learn and practice the art of the Gnaoua. She is a young mâalma from Casablanca. Throughout her journey, Imane has faced many obstacles and discrimination, including physical and verbal abuse, as women are poorly regarded when practicing this type of music, both in Moroccan society and within the Gnaoua community. While women have an important role in the ritualistic aspect of Gnaoua culture, they are excluded from instrumental practice. Driven by the desire to give women their rightful place as musicians in this predominantly male culture, Imane has devoted her life to learning and presenting this art. In addition to traditional performances with her koyo, Imane explores new realms of fusion with jazz, afrobeat, and freestyle to open Gnaoua music to different audiences while preserving its sacred and spiritual essence.

OTHER CONCERTS JUNE 2

with the marvelous support of De Vlaamse Gemeenschap and de Stad Gent