Joujouka (band)

Joujouka is a village and the name of a group of musicians from the Ahl Srif tribe in the southern Rif Mountains of Morocco. The Master Musicians of Joujouka, as they are often referred to, have a rich and ancient musical tradition, considered by some to be pre-Islamic in origin. Their music is primarily ritualistic, used for healing, fertility, and trance induction.

The music of Joujouka is characterized by complex polyrhythms and hypnotic melodies played on instruments like the ghaita (a double-reed wind instrument similar to an oboe), lira (a flute), and various percussion instruments including the tebel (a large double-headed drum). Their performances are often associated with the figure of Bou Jeloud, a goat-skinned mythical character who embodies fertility and chaos, and whose presence is believed to bring good fortune.

The Master Musicians of Joujouka gained international recognition in the late 1960s through their association with artists like Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, who recorded them in 1968. This recording, released posthumously as "Brian Jones Presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka," introduced their music to a wider Western audience. Since then, other musicians and artists have collaborated with and been influenced by the Joujouka musicians, further contributing to their global recognition. The village of Joujouka and its musical traditions continue to be a significant cultural landmark in Morocco. The musicians are often invited to perform at festivals and events around the world, preserving and promoting their unique heritage.