Saha Gnawa live in Fontainebleau

Experience Saha Gnawa live on June 27th

Saha Gnawa is scheduled to perform at Château De Fontainebleau on June 27, 2026. The group practices Gnawa music, a form of Moroccan religious music and healing ritual. Originating with formerly enslaved sub-Saharan Africans in Morocco, Gnawa music blends Islamic Sufi poetry and sub-Saharan African rhythms and instrumentation. Core instruments include the *guembri* (a three-stringed lute), *qraqeb* (metal castanets), and percussion. Performances often involve elaborate ceremonies intended to invoke spirits and provide therapeutic benefits. Saha Gnawa specifically is known for its contemporary interpretations of these traditional sounds, incorporating elements of jazz and other global musical influences while remaining deeply rooted in the Gnawa tradition.

Château De Fontainebleau holds significant historical importance as a French royal residence for over eight centuries. Initially a hunting lodge, it was substantially developed under Francis I in the 16th century, who transformed it into a Renaissance palace. Subsequent monarchs including Henry IV, Louis XIII, and Napoleon all left their mark on the château’s architecture and décor, resulting in a complex stylistic blend reflecting different periods.