Mostaganem Local Customs

Aissawa is a religious and mystical brotherhood and order founded in Meknès, Morocco by Muhammad Ben Aïssâ (1465-1526), best known as the Chaykh Al-Kâmil (translated as the Perfect Sufi Master).

The Aïssâwa are known for their spiritual music characterized by the use of the oboe ghaita (syn. mizmar, zurna), of collective songs of religious psalms accompanied by an orchestra of percussions using polyrhythm. Their complex ceremony, which use symbolic dances bringing the participants to ecstatic trance, take place in the private sphere during domestic rituals nights, and also in the public sphere during celebrations of national festivals (the moussems, which are also pilgrimages) and touristic (folk spectacles) or religious festivities (Ramadan, mawlid or birth of the Prophet) organized by the Moroccan and Algerian States.

Each region has its own style and Mostaganem is well known for its Aissawa groups that are hired in many festivals, weddings and any kinds of celebrations. Their music are both catching and captivating.