Morocco and Algeria

Today’s focus is on Morocco and Algeria, two centrally-located countries from what in Arabic is called “al-Maghreb”, or literally “where the sun sets.” This North African area is the Western-most region of the Arab world and stretches from Western Sahara to Libya. The population consists mainly of Arabic and Amazigh-speakers. The term “Amazigh” has replaced the former “Berber”, referring to the indigenous races of the area, and Wikipedia explains just why: “The term "Berber" comes from the Greek word "barbaros," meaning "barbarian," used by Romans to describe non-Greek speakers. Berbers themselves identify as Amazigh, meaning "free people". It is quite easy to see why the latter designation was preferred over the former. The music from both groups shares much in common and yet stylistic distinctions exist. Out of the fourteen tunes presented here, five are from Amazigh musicians: the artists Bilal Mohri (and friends), Ait Menguellet, Oudaden and groups Ousmane and Lemchaheb. It may require more familiarity with Amazigh musical styles to recognize what sets these apart from Arab music heard nearby, and without proper knowledge of musical theory I am unable to point out noteworthy contrasts, but you’ll have to believe me. Have I ever lied to you before (other than some time back in a jazz program when I labelled our small Mexican town of Tequisquiapan as the “Harlem of Central Mexico”)? [Text continues below]

Al compás del mundo programa #181, 5-22-25 – Morocco and Algeria

01 Bilal Mohri, Youcef Hessas and Yacine Idres - A Yemma Azizen (Algeria)

02 Oudaden - Zayd Zayd (Morocco)

03 Noudjoum el Aurés - Gasba Chaoui (Algeria)

04 Ousmane - Hay agh nucka (Morocco)

05 Rachid Taha - Kifache Rah (Algeria)

06 Adnan Sefiani - Bechri Lina (Morocco)

07 Ait Menguellet - Ddunit a lbir n ssem (Algeria)

08 Hind Ennaira - Souriya (Morocco)

09 Groupe Milano - Nhab Jiza'ir (Algeria)

10 Hassan Erraji - Badru Zuhir (Morocco)

11 Hamdi Benani - يا ناس جرت لي غرايب الأصلية (Algeria)

12 Lemchaheb - Mouwalna (Morocco)

13 Noura - Ma tadoum ash-shadda (Algeria)

14 Bouhcine El Achra - Azemz Ntamount (Morocco)

[Text continues] In my way of thinking, a few notable tunes include “Hay agh nucka”, where Ousmane whips the live crowd into a near frenzy. Wish I could understand the lyrics. Rachid Taha’s entry is an early song of his and done wholly in traditional Arab manner. Not long after, he became a rocker and enjoyed international acclaim for his raffish persona and modern approach to music “min zaman” (from the past). Oudaden plays marvelous wedding music, and if you view the YouTube video of this performance that’s exactly what he’s doing - and the crowd is up and dancing. I could go on, but I won’t. Each of these numbers earned its placement in a playlist, that is a mere glimpse into the variety of traditional and modern genres coming out of al-Maghreb. - JH

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