The Gnawa People can be found in Morocco, Algeria and some parts of Libya.  They are part of the Berber ethnic group and related to the Maghreb (Northwestern Africa) People of Morocco.  The Gnawa have adopted Islam which is practiced by the majority of Gnawa in their traditional music that combines Islamic sufism and African traditions.  

In their culture, musicians are referred as people who practice healings which ties to the pre-Islam African rites.  Musicians play deeply hypnotic music which is marked by the low toned, string instrument called the “sintir;” melodies of call and response singing; hand clapping with the rhythmic “krakebs.”