Essaouira is preparing to come alive once again with the vibrant sounds of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival, which returns from June 19 to 21 for its 26th edition. Since its debut in 1998, the festival has become an unmissable event, and organizers have just announced an exciting new lineup of musical encounters.
The festival’s unique character lies in the powerful dialogue it fosters between the Maâlems, revered masters of Gnaoua music and keepers of a rich spiritual tradition, and musicians from all corners of the globe. From sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas to Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean, these collaborations fuel the heart of the festival, creating bold new musical landscapes. According to the organizers, this spirit of cultural fusion and reinvention remains the cornerstone of the festival’s identity.
One of this year’s standout performances is titled “Sacred Groove, Funk Without Borders,” bringing together Casablanca’s Maâlem Khalid Sansi and Cuban sensation Cimafunk. Sansi, a key figure in the modern revitalization of Gnaoua music, has blended the spiritual depth of his inherited art with contemporary influences since his early training within a family tradition. Meanwhile, Cimafunk, often hailed as the spiritual heir of James Brown, electrifies audiences with an intoxicating mix of funk, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and an unmatched stage presence. Their collaboration promises to be a powerful collision of Caribbean groove and hypnotic Gnaoua trance.
Another highly anticipated performance, “Mystical Dialogue Between Two Sacred Heritages,” will see Maâlem Morad El Marjan join forces with Tunisian oud master Dhafer Youssef. El Marjan, part of the new generation of Gnaoua musicians, has built a reputation for his expressive playing style and humble approach. His musical conversation with Youssef, a boundary-pushing artist known for weaving together jazz, Sufi mysticism, and electronic sounds, promises to be both contemplative and daring.
The festival will also shine a spotlight on female artistry with a powerful showcase titled “Powerful Women, Living Memories.” Asmaa Hamzaoui and her group Bnat Timbouktou will share the stage with Malian vocalist Rokia Koné. Asmaa, daughter of Maâlem Rachid Hamzaoui, has carved out a space for herself in what was once an almost exclusively male domain. Known for her deep voice and mastery of the guembri, she addresses profound themes of exile and cultural memory. Rokia Koné, affectionately known as the Rose of Bamako, gained prominence with the Les Amazones d’Afrique collective and her solo album Bamanan. Her voice, steeped in Mandingue tradition, resonates with intense emotional power.
From its inception, the festival has championed the voices of Africa’s great female artists alongside the Maâlems, following in the footsteps of legends like Oumou Sangaré and Fatoumata Diawara. This year continues that legacy of musical sisterhood and cultural transmission.
Cimafunk, Rokia Koné, and Dhafer Youssef will also perform solo sets at Moulay El Hassan Square, the festival’s iconic main stage, offering audiences an intimate journey into their distinct musical worlds.
True to its mission, the Gnaoua and World Music Festival remains dedicated to creating a space where the ancient traditions of Gnaoua music can engage with global contemporary sounds. More announcements are expected soon, promising to further enrich this landmark 26th edition.
