On my first visit to Morocco, in the medina Matrakech, I felt a deep vibration of strings coming from the dark back of a small shop. I followed it, and found myself caught by it.

Inside, I was welcomed. “Marhaba. We welcome you with music your soul will love.” They lit white incense and began the ritual, accompanied by metal castanet-like percussion. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Only later did I learn its name. Gnaoua.

I was later invited to a Gnaoua night not knowing what it was. I started filming, focusing on the performance through the viewfinder, with headphones monitoring the sound. As the music continued, I became increasingly absorbed in what I was seeing and hearing.

 

At some point, I lost consciousness and later found myself lying on the floor, still holding the camera. It was an experience that changed the way I listened to and perceived Gnaoua.

Since then, I have kept returning to Gnaoua, drawn by the experience and the questions that began that night.