Zafraan Caravan : The Joujouka International

The Joujouka International tells the story of a musical tradition of The Master Musicians of Joujouka dating back more than six centuries. It explores the current state of this ritualistic Sufi music consisting of percussion and traditional pipe instruments by looking and listening to the people continuing to practice it in its spiritual birthplace – the village of Joujouka, in the Rif mountain region in Northern Morocco. The story of Joujouka has many unexpected twists and turns throughout their long history. From explicits reference in the cut-up novels by William Burroughs, through tales of Islamic mysticism and even featuring on the Pyramid Stage of Glastonbury Festival, the unique sound of The Master Musicians of Joujouka’s pipes and drums have resonated far and wide. This radio piece attempts to retrace some of these key steps, and to understand why people — as distinct as Brian Jones and Ornette Coleman — have flocked to the mountains of Northern Morocco to experience this utterly singular music.

Recorded throughout Morocco, June-July 2018 Produced in Berlin and Palermo, Fall 2018 Conversation excerpts recorded at Le18, Marrakech

Music by The Master Musicians of Joujouka

Music excerpts of The Master Musicians of Joujouka recorded in Joujouka for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the recording of ‘Brian Jones presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka’ and at Villa Janna, Marrakech, at a concert presented by Atlas Electronic

Music copyright The Master Musicians of Joujouka 2018

Voices: Ahmed El Attar, Abdeslam Rrtoubi, Mohamed El Hatmi, Laila Hida, Frank Rynne, Rikki Stein

Narration: Rosie Peraza-Bragg

Written & Produced by Aladin Ilou & Matteo Spanò

A co-production between Cashmere Radio and HCM