MAÂLEM ABDELMAJID EL KERDOUDI

Born in Safi in 1966 to a family whose origins lay in sub-Saharan Africa, Abdelmajid El Kerdoudi grew up to the rhythm of Gnaoua rituals. From the age of 8 he travelled with his father — a seer and therapist — to significant trance ceremonies such as the moussems of Moulay Brahim or Abdeljalil. These early immersions would forge his intimate and lifelong relationship to the Tagnaouite. From the age of 31, he began to create his own guembris and other ritual instruments, thus extending his musical knowledge to musical artisanry. He trained alongside great masters such as Abdelmoula, Mohamed Sam, Hajoub, Rejouk, and Houcine, who encouraged his practice with strict lessons. Since 1985 he has lived in Taroudant, where he founded his own Gnaoua group and continues to devote his time to the transmission of his art to young Roudanis.