skip navigation | text only | accessibility | site map
Share
Bnet Houariyat (The Kennedy Center)

Bnet Houariyat

B'net Houariyat (Daughters of Houara) is comprised of five extraordinary women from the region of Marrakech in Morocco, who sing and dance to the rhythm of their drums, performing traditional music of Houara (the region between Taroudant and Tiznit), of the Hammada (plain of the Dra'a), together with Berber dances and urban styles like the Aitci (female seductive appeal) and the Chaabi, the popular style that originated Rai music.  The image of women as represented by the music of B'net Houariyat reflects the multiple facets of Islam on a daily life and the female condition, above and beyond the stereotypes, with emotion, humor, and energy. Among the themes of the songs of B'net Houariyat are the exaltation of love and beauty; the cry of the young woman that refuses the combined marriage with a rich old man; the derision of the man that has more wives and that works to maintain them; and, the ritual dance of the woman possessed by her spirits.   The group performed for the first time out of their traditional context in July 1995, in Milan, at the Festival Notti di San Lorenzo. Since then, B'net Houariyat has been invited to perform at numerous international festivals and in leading concert halls around the world.

Images


Additional Resources

Watch Past Performances

Bnet Houariyat: <i>Voices of Marrakech</i> 3/4/09: Bnet Houariyat: Voices of Marrakech

Hailing from the region of Marrakech, Morocco, the five women of Bnet Houariyat perform traditional Berber songs and dances that reflect the multiple facets of Islam and the female condition. Hauntingly beautiful, the harmonies, melodies, and rhythms in the songs transport you to another world. The themes explore the cultural traditions and the reality of these extraordinary women.

Bnet Houariyat: Voices of Marrakech

Hailing from the region of Marrakech, Morocco, the five women of Bnet Houariyat perform traditional Berber songs and dances that reflect the multiple facets of Islam and the female condition. Hauntingly beautiful, the harmonies, melodies, and rhythms in the songs transport you to another world. The themes explore the cultural traditions and the reality of these extraordinary women.

Comments