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Music in North Africa

From Cultural Mixity to Political Expression

In recognition of SWANA Month, we explore the history and cultural significance of the music of North Africa. Muriam H. Davis of Center for the Middle East and North Africa (CMENA) at UCSC presents.

In celebration of Southwest Asian & North African/Asian American & Pacific Islander Month, SCPL is pleased to host Associate Professor Muriam H. Davis, Ph.D., from Center for the Middle East and North Africa (CMENA) at UCSC for a fascinating presentation. Registration is recommended, and walk-ins are welcome.

This talk will look at various musical genres in North Africa to explore the history of a region that is at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. How is music an expression of the cultural diversity of the region? How have musicians played a central political role from the colonial period to the so-called "Arab Uprisings" that swept the region from 2010-2020? How does music continue to give expression to various social and economic issues in the region, such as the refugee crisis? The talk will focus on classical genres such as Arab-Andalusian music as well as Raï, Gnawa and even rap. The presentation will include clips and translations of music and offer important historical and political context for the 15 May concert hosted by the Center for the Middle East and North Africa at Woodhouse Brewery featuring the musical group, Aza. 

Muriam Haleh Davis is the Director of the Center of the Middle East and North Africa at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is the author of "Markets of Civilization: Islam and Racial Capitalism in Algeria," published by Duke University Press in 2022. In addition to her scholarly work, you can also find her writing in the LA Review of Books, Al Jazeera English, Truthout, Jacobin, Public Books and Jadaliyya. Her favorite genre of music is Raï.