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Traditional Gnawa
Guembri · Qraqeb · Voices · Lila repertoire
Gnawa Maâlem · Multidisciplinary Artist · Cultural Producer
Rooted in ritual.
Open to the world.
Ancestral Gnawa spirituality meets contemporary sound, living archives and intercultural creation.
Casablanca · MoroccoLatest release · MBIRIKA ↓
Latest release · 2026
Taxi Kabir × Khalil Mounji
MBIRIKA
A contemporary reimagining of a traditional Gnawa piece—a shared journey where the pulse of the guembri meets Taxi Kabir’s electronic universe.
▶Official videoLatest · Journal
From the studio
to the streets.
Press releases, collaborations and field notes on Gnawa heritage in motion.
2026 · New release · VENA Records
ARAB INVASION
Khalil Mounji × VENA RecordsA new release carrying the guembri into a raw, forward-facing electronic space—followed by two Italian live dates in Milan and Rome.Read the story
June 2026 · Art direction · Fashion × ritual
Habiller la Transe
Mao Lakhdar × Khalil MounjiA first creative chapter giving visible form to an invisible music: a parade silhouette conceived between contemporary Moroccan design and the spirit of Gnawa trance.Read the story24 June 2026 · New release · Taxi Kabir × Khalil Mounji
MBIRIKA
Guembri pulse × electronic horizonThe story behind a contemporary reimagining of a traditional Gnawa piece, released by Gnaoua Culture.Read the story
25—27 June 2026 · Gnaoua & World Music Festival · Essaouira
The source moves forward
Parade · Creation · TransmissionFrom the opening parade to a concert with Berklee musicians: field notes on keeping Gnawa heritage alive through encounter.Read the storyThe original interactive experience · Gnaoua Culture
Use the keys A, E, Y, Q, W, X, C, V, B and N—or touch the notes—to play the authentic recorded guembri.
Original design and sound recordings by Gnaoua Culture.
Visit the original project01 · The artist
A bridge between heritage and contemporary creation.
Khalil Mounji is a Moroccan Gnawa Maâlem, musician, researcher and cultural producer. He carries the guembri as both a musical and spiritual instrument.
As Artistic Director of the Holland Gnawa Festival and President of Gnaoua Culture, he creates spaces where tradition is documented, transmitted and invited into new artistic conversations—without losing the source.
02 · Music & live
One source.
Many frequencies.
From the intimacy of a traditional ceremony to the energy of a hybrid stage, each format is shaped for its audience and space.
Electro / Hybrid Live
Gnawa pulse, electronic textures and club energy.
Sound & Frequency
Immersive journeys through rhythm and resonance.
Intercultural Encounters
Creative dialogue across Africa, Europe and beyond.
03 · Selected projects & collaborations
A living archive of encounters.
Albums, stage creations and digital experiments connecting Gnawa heritage with artists and audiences across borders.
01
Album · Artistic direction · 2023
LILA
with Martin SeigneurA Franco-Moroccan creation shaped around Gnawa trance, contemporary composition and the living ritual of the lila.
Listen to the album 02Album · Berlin × Casablanca · 2023
GNAWAVE
with GATS, Taib & guestsSeven border-crossing tracks dedicated to Maâlem Said Benthami Oughassal, bringing Gnawa memory into Berlin's underground frequencies.
Open on Bandcamp 03Live creation · Gnawa × Mandingue · 2024—
Kalimba Quartet
with Mbemba DiabatéA dialogue between guembri and kora, expanded through percussion, balafon and contemporary sound textures.
Discover the project 04Single · Gnawa × Jungle · 2024
JUNAWA
feat. Ismail RahilHypnotic guembri melodies meet deep basslines and rapid breakbeats in an electrifying cultural crossover.
Listen on Bandcamp 05Fair-trade remix · 2021
ASUNFU
with Remix ↔ CultureA remix of Ferqa Ahwach Agdz and Symphonie Lahcen Idhamou, built through an equitable model for traditional and electronic artists.
Explore the collaboration 06Digital transmission · Ongoing
PLAY GUEMBRI
Interactive instrumentA playful digital experience that opens the notes, gestures and sound of the guembri to everyone.
Play the guembriAssociation · Since 2014
Gnaoua Culture
Documenting, transmitting and reimagining Gnawa heritage through education, research and contemporary creation.
Visit the platform
Beyond the stage
Artist. Curator.
Living heritage advocate.
Alongside his artistic path, Khalil develops international programmes that give Gnawa artists, knowledge and new generations a place to meet. He is Artistic Director of the Holland Gnawa Festival and President of Gnaoua Culture.
- Artistic direction & programming
- Heritage preservation & transmission
- Workshops & masterclasses
- Residencies & international collaborations
04 · Agenda
Next
encounters.
Milan · Italy · Venue to be announced
Arab Invasion
Khalil Mounji × VENA RecordsLive in Italy · Release presentation
Rome · Italy · Venue to be announced
Arab Invasion
Khalil Mounji × VENA RecordsLive in Italy · Release presentation
Holland Gnawa Festival · Theater De Regentes · The Hague
Kalimba Quartet
Khalil Mounji × Mbemba DiabatéWorkshop 19:00 · Concert 20:15 · Main Hall
Artistic direction
Through the Holland Gnawa Festival, Khalil helps build a lasting bridge between Morocco and the Netherlands—supporting transmission, presenting new generations and keeping Gnawa heritage alive through contemporary creation.
05 · Booking & collaborations
Let’s create something
that resonates.
Concerts · Festivals · Workshops · Residencies · Talks · Cultural consulting
Start a conversation