This program offered by: Seffarine

With lush vocals and energetic rhythms, Seffarine celebrates the many threads of influence that make up Morocco’s rich culture. Through songs from North Africa, Arab Andalusian Spain, the Sahara, and the Middle East as well as Sephardic Jewish traditions, singer Lamiae Naki and flamenco guitarist/oud player Nat Hulskamp weave the region’s history together with a modern look at often misrepresented cultures on instruments from the region. During the performance, audiences will be introduced to the Arabic and Tamazight (the language of the indigenous Amazigh people, often referred to as Berber) terms and participate in a call-and-response chorus in Moroccan folk songs. Students may also be taught traditional rhythmic phrases and join in polyrhythmic clapping. Seffarine’s performances leave students with an appreciation for the vibrant tapestry of Moroccan music, giving a greater understanding of North African and Arabic cultures. Through the process of making the unfamiliar familiar, Seffarine aims to create opportunities for curiosity and cross-cultural understanding.