It is a must for me to bring along an MP3 player containing my favorite songs wherever I go. Music serves as an effective guard against boredom. Unfortunately one time, I forgot to bring it with me when I left my hotel. It was a good thing that my Moroccan friend’s plan for that day was to attend the Gnaoua (or Gnawa) music festival in Marrakech, which happens every June and lasts for four days.

Musicians all over the world gather at the Gnawa music festival to add a touch of Gnawa beats to their favorite music genre. Whether you’re a fan of jazz or trance, you are guaranteed to be delighted by the various sounds produced by these musical geniuses. The activity which I enjoyed the most was the all-night ritual called “Lila”, which is the Gnawi term for “night”. In this ceremony, the Gnawi people were wearing colorful costumes. While some of them were playing the traditional Gnawi instruments like the Krakebs and Guembri, some were gracefully dancing and singing. Most spectators got up on their feet to join the Gnawi people as they celebrated their extraordinary culture. I was one of the participants and the party-like ceremony really made me let go of my inhibitions. I danced and sang with them until my Moroccan friend told me that he’s already tired and that it was time to head back to our hotel room.

At the end of the day, I was somehow thankful that I forgot that Mp3 player I was talking about. Why? Because that Marrakech event I experienced did not just satisfy my craving for impressive sounds. The unique Moroccan beats I heard also managed to uplift my soul and renew my spirit.

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