Commentary by Alan Lomax on the ceremony / crowd noise

Date recorded: September 27, 1967
Contributor(s): Performer: Unidentified; Recordist: Lomax, Alan

Subject(s):

Genre: interview/commentary, talk/ambience

Culture: Arab, Moroccan

Instruments: ghaita, voice

Setting: The tomb of Moulay Idriss

Location: Fez, Fès-Meknès, Morocco

Physical form: Reel to Reel

Tape number: T3000

Track Number: 12

Archive ID: T3000R12

Note: Lomax describes the ceremony dedicated to Moulay Idriss, which includes a flag procession, incense, and dancing. At the end of the track, the musicians of the Tariqa Aissaouia enter, playing the ghaita and chanting 'Allah daim' (God is Eternal).

Belongs to: Fes III 9/67

About the session: More recordings from the moussem of Moulay Idriss in Fes. This session comprises mostly religious folk songs and music of Sufi orders (ar. turuq, sing: tariqa). The tradition of celebration and veneration of holy men (ar. auliya') such as Moulay Idriss stems from Sufism, the mystical strand of Islamic belief, and several turuq incorporate music into their ritual practice, including the Hamadcha and 'Aissaouia orders.

Rights: The rights to the audio, photographic, and video materials contained within the Lomax Digital Archive are administered by various publishers, record labels, collectors, estates, and other rights holders. Any uses, commercial or not, must be cleared by the specific rights holders. For questions regarding the use of any material on the LDA, please contact Permissions.

Do you have something to add, or do you see an error in this record? We'd love to hear from you.