Moroccan Qaraqueb

Moroccan Qaraqueb Pair -Iron Moroccan Castanet / Qarkabeb

Dimensions: 22cm long, 9cm diameter

Moroccan iron castanets of the Gnawa people. These items are rustic with natural blemishes, due to their traditionally made nature.

Gnawa music is a spiritual music representing the history of sub-Saharan West African people who were sold as slaves in present-day Algeria, Morocco, Libya and Tunisia.

“…stories are told to those who are connected with their history by the very sound of the krakebs – they represent the sound of horses hooves hitting the ground as their people were carried away in grain sacks, and the rattling of shackles that used to hold their people captive”.

They are also said to represent shackles which slaves removed when they became free men. Several specific rhythms played by Gnawa musicians on Qarqabat (often accompanied by hajhuj or sintir) symbolise this freedom.

Like most hand cymbals, there are two for each hand. Each Qarkabeb, consists of two flat metal bars with two convex disks at each end. Two bars are linked at one end by a metal ring, and each has straps for your fingers. To play, slip your thumb and fingers under the strap.

The opening and closing of your hands slaps the cymbals together to produce a loud clanky sound. With a set of two you can produce rhythm patterns from the very simple to very complex. ‘Gnawa’ defines both the religious order of a Moroccan Black Muslim group and their music style.

Over 900 years ago, slavery, conscription and trade brought people from West Africa to Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Enslaved people from Ancient Ghana were called Gnawa. The descendents of these enslaved groups are Morocco’s most colourful Muslim ethnic group. While they have retained many of the customs, rituals and beliefs of their ancestors, their music is the most preserved trait.

Other names for this instrument include: Qaraqsh, Qaraqueb , Qarkeb, Qraqeb, Tiqarqaawen, Shaqahaq, Qarkabeb.

More information can be found on these instruments here.

You can see these being played live at the wonderful Festival Gnawa, held every year in Essouirra, Morocco.

We sell a wide variety of other hand percussion, drums and musical instruments from around the world.

Our items are fairly traded and difficult-to-find items. We source every item personally in the country.