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Gnawa Master Allal Soudani died on Monday in Essaouira at the age of 72, after a long illness, his family said.
Born in Essaouira in 1952, Allal Soudani belonged to a long line of Gnawa musicians from Essaouira with Sudanese origins. He began learning Gnawa music from a young age under the strict supervision of his father, acquiring a solid musical foundation. By the young age of 18, he became a teacher himself, joining other renowned schools, notably those of Boubker Guinia, Ahmed Haddad, and Belkhir.
King's advisor and founding president of the Essaouira Mogador Association, André Azoulay, told MAP that Allal Soudani, with his elegance and smile, was, along with his brothers, the generous embodiment of Essaouira's Gnawa tradition. «Together we will keep the memory of one of its great masters who contributed with his style and left his mark in reshaping this art form again in Essaouira and elsewhere», he added.
The late Master Allal Soudani was characterized by his firm adherence to the traditional style of Gnawa music, becoming an essential reference in Morocco. He was one of the most ardent preservers and defenders of this cultural heritage, whose rules and traditions he ensured were respected.
He grew up in Sidi Bilal's Zaouia, immersed in ritualistic evenings. Together with his father, he learned the basics of the rituals and principles of Gnawa music, a cultural heritage deeply rooted in Essaouira's unique style.
The tireless artist and teacher, Allal Soudani, was also known for dedicating his life to teaching and passing on his knowledge to young people. He played a crucial role in restructuring the Gnawa community and the Sidi Bilal Zaouia Association, contributing to the reopening of the Gnawa Zaouia so that it could regain its educational and influential role after difficult years.
An eloquent speaker and a prominent historian of Gnawa culture in Essaouira and Morocco, he earned his place among the symbols of this famous art thanks to his experience, strong personality, and unique charisma. He also met many international artists during the 1960s and 1970s, during the «hippie» period, while participating in meetings with other famous musicians during the Gnawa and World Music Festival.
