During this lunchtime concert, we will make the link between the northern African guembri and the hoddu from West Africa. As the roots of Gnawa music lie in West Africa, it proves the kinship between the guembri and the hoddu (Peuhl for a lute that also exists under the names xalam or djeli nogni). The ancestors of the Gnawa were transferred from Sub-Saharan Africa to Morocco and brought along melodies, rhythms and instruments from their homeland. With Driss Filali and Malick Pathe Sow, we are pleased to present two key figures from the African diaspora.

Driss plays not only a significant role on the new album ‘Jola – Hidden Gnawa Music in Brussels’, he is also the voice and guembri of Marockin’ Brass. Malick Pathe Sow (Senegal) is considered as the godfather of the hoddu and will present his new album Annoore next month. Driss and Malick will first play some solos on their own and then they will end the concert by playing together the guembri and the hoddu.

• Driss Filali: guembri, vocals
• Malick Pathe Sow: hoddu, vocals

This event is part of the Gnawa Festival.