Gnawa Diffusion live in Berlin

Experience Gnawa Diffusion live on July 17th

Gnawa Diffusion will perform at Haus Der Kulturen Der Welt (HKW) in Berlin on July 17, 2026. The group, led by Maâlem Mahmoud Gania, presents a contemporary interpretation of Gnawa music, a tradition originating with formerly enslaved people from sub-Saharan Africa in Morocco. Their sound blends the ritualistic poetry and music of Gnawa—characterized by call-and-response vocals, the *guembri* (a three-stringed bass lute), metal castanets (*qraqeb*), and percussion—with influences from jazz, blues, and world music.

Haus Der Kulturen Der Welt, opened in 1957 as the Kongresshalle Berlin, was originally conceived as a symbol of cultural exchange during the Cold War. Designed by Hugh Stubbins and Max Taut, its distinctive architectural form reflects American influences. Following a period of disuse after German reunification, it was repurposed as a center for international arts and culture in 1985 under the name Haus der Kulturen der Welt. Today, HKW focuses on current social and political issues through interdisciplinary programs encompassing visual arts, music, theatre, dance, film and digital media.