The Master Musicians of Joujouka's music from a remote village in the Rif of Northern Morocco, is thousands of years old.
In the 15th century, when the Sufi saint Sidi Ahmed Schiech arrived in the village, he wrote music for the Masters’ ancestors which could heal disturbed minds.
Today’s Masters are blessed with the Baraka (or spirit) of their saint and use touch and prayer to heal.
The Masters’ performances feature a dancer dressed as Bou Jeloud, a Pan-like figure half-goat, half-man. Although the character of Bou Jeloud is found all over Morocco, it takes on different form in Joujouka.
In Joujouka, Bou Jeloud gave an Attar ancestor the gift of flute music and bestowed fertility on the village every spring when he danced.
The Master Musicians of Joujouka have a long history of being recorded by Western artists and having strong connections with members of the Beat Generation Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, Brion Gysin, the inventor of "Free Jazz" Ornette Coleman and the Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones.
It’s been 50 years since Brian Jones recorded the ritual music of The Master Musicians of Joujouka in Morocco - which became the genre we now call World Music.
In summer 2018, several events took place to mark the 50th anniversary of this iconic album 'BRIAN JONES recording the Pipes of Pan' to celebrate this significant cross-cultural moment.
As part of this celebration,
Maki made a series of 'Song of Joujouka' prints, paintings & photographs.
