Deborah Kapchan Book order

An eclectic and experimental exploration of sound from the vantage point of writing

Exploring the unique practice of the Gnawa, a group of ritual musicians and former slaves in Morocco, this book delves into their healing traditions using music, incense, and trance. Author Deborah Kapchan examines the global impact of Gnawa music, highlighting collaborations with African-American jazz and French artists that reshape racial and musical identities. The narrative also investigates the transformation of sacred aesthetics in secular contexts and the intrinsic properties of trance, illustrating how sacred music evolves into a transnational phenomenon.

Focusing on Moroccan women's expressive culture, this study explores the impact of recent shifts in gender roles and labor division. It highlights women's increasing visibility in public spaces, particularly in marketplaces, and examines how their participation reshapes gender and commodity relations. Through the lens of aesthetic practices, the book reveals the complex ways women navigate and interpret these transformations, offering insights into the evolving dynamics of gender in Moroccan society.