Sufi Trance Music from Morocco

The Jilala brotherhood of Morocco is one of many sects of Sufi Islam. Originating in 12th century Baghdad, it still retains vestiges of pre-Islamic healing rituals and ecstatic dance. On these lovingly packaged raw field recordings from 1965, you can follow the members' journey to the ecstatic and feel the power of this primeval music.Sufi religious music has an intent similar to that of Native American drum circles, Tibetan chanting and qawwali singing-to create an atmosphere that transcends the mundane world, enabling the dancer to reach for the divine. Incense and special foods and drinks help establish the mood, while the shebaba (reed flute) states the theme. Bendir (hand drum) tempos rise and fall, as intricate percussion from double castanets, together with chanting and vocalizations, drives the dancers on.