HERITAGE — MILESTONES & JOURNEYS
Gnawa: living heritage to pass on
UNESCO recognises a musical heritage that forms part of Morocco’s cultural diversity.
Recognition of living heritage
In 2019, UNESCO inscribes Gnawa on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The element includes musical performances, brotherhood practices and rituals connecting the secular and the sacred.
Memory and transmission
UNESCO connects this heritage to the history of slavery and the slave trade. It describes African practices, Arab-Muslim influences and Amazigh cultural expressions. Musicians and communities pass this knowledge on.
Sources & further reading
References consulted on 10 October 2026. Original summary written for MAROCANITÉ.