Barakat J’doud Lila Celebration at Jazzawiya led by Mehdi Qamoum (OneBeat 2017), is a virtual traditional Gnawa celebration aimed at supporting the Jazzawiya Center, Agadir’s only community cultural center, which has played a critical role in shaping the lives of young people of Agadir for over 36 years by immersing them in music, art and cultural activities.Jazzawiya is a unique nonprofit organization located in the underserved neighborhood of L’batoir. Since opening, it has had significant impact in the community, particularly among youth. Jazzawiya engages young kids who need the most attention, and puts in place programs that help them develop positive outcomes and achieve greater futures by providing creative spaces, workshops, and community shows. Jazzawiya was negatively impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic, keeping its doors closed to the public and its limiting its activity in the community. This event raised funds for Jazzawiya in order to help restore its full capacity.
This event was recorded and broadcasted during a facebook live session on Jazzawiya’s page. This recording also serves as a historical documentation of Gnawa Lila as part of an effort to maintain Moroccan and African cultural heritage and patrimony for future educational and anthropological research purposes.
_____
Mehdi Qamoum is a versatile composer and multi-instrumentalist based in Agadir. A traditional gnawa musician, Mehdi has mastered numerous folk instruments including guembri, outar, karbaou, bendir and a custom guembri four-string electric bass which he built himself.
_____
