Gnawa music village: practical answers from our local team in Morocco, updated September 2026.
A few kilometres south of Merzouga, the small village of Khamlia is home to a community of Gnawa musicians. Visiting them is one of the most authentic cultural experiences of a Sahara trip.
Who are the Gnawa?
The Gnawa tradition combines spiritual chants, the three-stringed guembri and metal castanets called qraqeb. Gnawa music is recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
What happens during a visit
- You are welcomed with mint tea.
- Musicians play a set of traditional songs and often invite visitors to dance.
- A contribution or the purchase of a CD supports the community.
How to visit
Khamlia is usually visited during the free morning or afternoon in Merzouga, before the camel ride. It fits naturally into a 3-day Merzouga tour or a desert tour from Fes.
| Nearby | Distance from Merzouga |
|---|---|
| Khamlia | ~7 km |
| Rissani | ~35 km |
| Dayet Srji lake | ~5 km |
Etiquette
- Ask before taking photos or videos.
- Contribute generously: music is the village’s livelihood.
- Dress modestly.
Combine with nearby visits
Khamlia is easily combined with the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji, fossil workshops and the market town of Rissani, once the departure point of trans-Saharan caravans. A free morning in Merzouga is enough to see them all before your afternoon camel ride.
Understanding Gnawa music
Gnawa music comes from the descendants of people brought from sub-Saharan Africa. Its hypnotic rhythms use the guembri (a three-string bass lute), large iron castanets called qraqeb and call-and-response singing. Traditionally, Gnawa ceremonies (lila) are spiritual and healing rituals that last through the night; what visitors hear in Khamlia is a shorter, joyful performance shared with guests.
A respectful visit
- Visits usually include tea and a short concert; musicians often invite guests to dance.
- A contribution or purchase of a CD supports the families; ask your driver what is customary.
- Ask before filming and keep phones on silent during the performance.
- Combine the visit with the nearby lakes (in wet years flamingos may appear) and the old mines around Mfis.
Khamlia is 7 km south of Merzouga, easy to include on the afternoon before the camel ride. Our desert tours can add it on request.
Why Khamlia matters
Khamlia is more than a concert stop. The village keeps alive a musical and spiritual tradition that UNESCO added to its list of intangible cultural heritage in 2019 (Gnawa). Listening to Khamlia Gnawa music in a family house, with tea and a simple welcome, gives travellers a different view of the Sahara: a place of encounters between cultures, not only dunes.
The musicians usually explain the meaning of the songs and the role of each instrument. Children often join in, and the rhythm quickly invites visitors to dance. A visit lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, so it fits easily before a sunset camel ride.
Most Gnawa families in Khamlia live from music, tourism and small agriculture in a harsh environment. Visiting respectfully and buying directly from them helps keep this heritage alive. If you are travelling with children, they will love the energy of the drums and castanets, and musicians are used to welcoming families.
Photography is usually allowed during the performance, but always ask first, and avoid using flash.
Key takeaways
- Village of Gnawa musicians.
- 15–60 minute visit.
- Perfect cultural stop in Merzouga.
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FAQ: gnawa music village
Where is Khamlia?
About 7 km south of Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Is there a fee to visit Khamlia?
There is no fixed ticket; visitors are expected to leave a contribution or buy music.
What is Gnawa music?
A spiritual musical tradition using the guembri lute and qraqeb castanets, recognised by UNESCO.
How long does the visit last?
Usually between 30 minutes and an hour.