Morocco’s legendary Ghiwani sound is making a comeback; louder, prouder, and more alive than ever.
Fez – The spirit of Morocco’s iconic Ghiwani music will once again be at the center of the burgeoning Moroccan cultural scene’s attention in the coming days.
It will be in the limelight as the second edition of the “Arwah Ghiwaniya” (Spirits of Ghiwan) Festival takes place across three cities – Casablanca, Settat, and Ben Slimane – from May 30 to June 14.
Organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in partnership with the Casablanca-Settat Regional Council, this festival is part of the region’s broader 2022–2027 development plan.
Its goal is to bring Moroccan cultural heritage closer to new audiences and revive the legacy of one of the country’s most influential musical movements.
The festival kicks off in Settat on May 30 and 31 with a double evening at the city’s cultural center.
The spotlight will be on “Mesnawa,” a legendary group rooted in the musical traditions of Chaouia, drawing inspiration from rural rhythms, traditional chants, and folk poetry.
The group’s name itself traces back to the Mesnawa tribe, where the Batma family, pillars of Moroccan music, have deep roots.
But it’s not just about nostalgia. Young Ghiwani-inspired groups like “Lamma” (led by researcher-artist Mourad El Mahouri) and “Joura” will also perform, blending academic insight with musical passion.
The second evening in Settat will feature “Siham,” a band that emerged in the late 1970s and continues to deliver songs with a social conscience.
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Also on stage are “Banat El Ghiwan,” an all-women ensemble led by veteran Hammida El Bahri, and “Hfada El Ghiwan,” a younger group pushing the genre forward under the direction of Mohcine Abou Zayn.
Ben Slimane takes the baton on June 5 and 6. Audiences will be treated to performances by none other than “Nass El Ghiwane,” led by Omar Sayed himself, alongside “Oulad Sousdi,” who bring fresh energy to Mohamed Sousdi’s poetic legacy, and “Africa Slam.”
On the second night, “Lemchaheb”, “Jnane El Ghiwan,” “Al Asheqine,” and “Saba Qaddous” will take the stage, blending the familiar with the new.
Casablanca closes the festival on June 13 and 14 with a nostalgic performance by “Taqadda,” who have stayed true to their Moroccan roots since 1972.
A special set by Mohamed Derham and Nabil El Khaldi promises a richly textured Ghiwane medley.
In the statement announcing the festival, the organizers said the event’s grand finale will be a massive symphonic concert led by maestro Moulay Rachid Rekraki, bringing together over 50 musicians with “Nass El Ghiwane,” “Lemchaheb,” and “Jil Jilala”’s Abdelkarim El Kessabji.
The festival also includes a study day on copyright and artist rights, plus a panel discussion in partnership with the Tayeb Saddiki Foundation.
