The Hadra of Chefchaouen led by Mrs. Rahoum al Beqqali Hadra is a term used to mean Dhikr (or Zikr): a Sufi, mystical, ritual of mentioning and remembering of Allah and the prophet. Mrs. Beqqali, who leads the groups, takes her ancestry to the Beqqali Sufi order (Tariqa, in Arabic), named after a local waliy ("saint"). She also is an educator who teaches about 50 women at a school she set up to preserve the Hadra tradition. Most likely, the music involves group and solo vocals and several Bendirs (frame drum with a snare that produces a buzzing sound) and possibly taÕrija (a miniature goblet drum with a high pitch used to produce a counter beat). Fеs, Morocco, 6/2006.
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The Hadra of Chefchaouen. These musicians are from Chefchaouen, region of Morocco in the northern Rif mountains. The young women range from the age of 15-22. During the songs, the musicians chant, hold their hands in prayer and sway back and forth to evoke a trance or devotional state. The are performing for the recording of their first CD. Fes, Morocco, 6/2006
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A musician practicing the Darbouka (goblet drum).
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There exists in Morocco a very rich tradition of traditional music and songs, both secular and sacred and performed exclusively by women.
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Young musician and lead singer of the Hadra of Chefchaouen awaits the finishing touches on her costume. Fes, Morocco, 6/2006
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Cherifa started singing in weddings and other celebrations at the age of sixteen. Here she applies traditional kohl (eye makeup) and on her hands are the traditional henna designs of that region of Morocco.
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Here a singer of the The Hadra of Chefchaouen applies traditional kohl (eye makeup). “Before Harmony”, Fes, Morocco, 6/2006.
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The women’s traditions are in danger of disappearing as a result of the impact of globalization.
Before Harmony: Moroccan Women’s Song Project, a collaboration with Spirit of Fès and photographer Amanda Koster,preserves traditions of Moroccan women vocal artists. The photographs were made while Spirit of Fès produced audio recordings for a CD of the musicians.
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http://amandakoster.wordpress.com/projects/videomulti-media/