ABOUT HOUARIYAT
#SOURCEThe houariyat music feels irresistible. It produces an
euphoric feeling momentarily. Multiple voices and percussions
complementing one another. Like one organism. Communal consciousness and
togetherness embraced in each song. We learn cha’abi and houari rhythms
– houarii takes us in a circular motion, cha’abi is the one that goes
forward. Complex rhythm makes for energy. Speeding up. Voice that
penetrates and enlarges the space and bodies. The voice is ready. It has
always been.
:// Alexa Kruger, Houariyat music: A study of women’s music in Marrakech, Marocco
Khalini Awa
Khalini nrta7
Khalini Awa
(e)allahla ndawi ljra7
Leave me
Let me rest
Leave me
Heal my wounds
Khalini Awa
hadi ou touba
Khalini Awa
Ana wlit 3jouba
Leave me
I will never make this mistake again
Leave me
I became the outsider
Khalini nrta7
Khalini Awa
(e)allahla ndawi ljra7
Leave me
Let me rest
Leave me
Heal my wounds
Khalini Awa
hadi ou touba
Khalini Awa
Ana wlit 3jouba
Leave me
I will never make this mistake again
Leave me
I became the outsider
“Houariyat music is primarily learnt through the matrilineal route from grandmother, to mother and to daughter…”
It is “performed by women, usually with six females in a circle, with the incorporation of call and response singing, and the use of a variation of hand percussion and drums. (…) the houariyat perform with up to 5 or 6 different types of drums and percussion at any one time: the t3rija, tara, d3dou (large clay drum darabuka-shaped and provides the clave rhythm), the sinia (metal tray) and finger cymbals (played together) and the ni9sat (metal bit in the middle of a car wheel).
Although houariyat is considered traditional music, it goes beyond this concept as the melangé (mixing) of different styles, demonstrates their ability to adapt and incorporate more modern styles and transform the music in a semi-improvisatory way. They perform up to five different styles of music in their repertoire and although they sound similar to the untrained ear, there are differences in rhythm, tempo, structure and singing style. The repertoire that they play include the styles houari, hamada, houzi, cha’abi, and ‘aita.”