Reggada is a Moroccan Berber musical genre and traditional war dance from Beni Znassen/Aït Iznasen tribes of north-east Morocco (Provinces of Oujda, Berkane and Taourirt).
| Reggada | |
|---|---|
 Reggada dance in Aknoul | |
| Native name | الرڭادة |
| Other names | 3arfa |
| Stylistic origins | Moroccan music |
| Cultural origins | Beni Znassen tribes Morocco |
| Typical instruments | Traditional instruments Adjounn, Tamja, Galal, Ghaita, Zamar and modern: synthesizer |
| Other topics | |
| Moroccan music | |
It is very similar to the Allaoui musical genre, that arose around the same time as Reggada.[1]
History
Reggada is part of war dance traditions among Aït Iznasen Berber tribes celebrating victory over their enemies. Thus, the performance includes the use of weapons and foot strikes in the rhythm of music.[2]
Location
Reggada music is most commonly played in the northeastern regions of Morocco, especially in the city of Aïn Regadda in the Berkane Province. It's also popular in provinces such as Oujda, Taourirt, Nador, Al Hoceima, Taza, and Ben Taieb.
Dance and music
The dance is characterised with the masters (locally called sheikhs). These masters play music and dance using several traditional instruments such as Bendri, Ghaita and Zmmar which is a kind of flute with two horns typically found in Africa. The dancers move their shoulders, a rifle or a stick and strike the groin against the floor to the rhythm of drums.
The music often tells stories about topics such as love, emotions of sadness and happiness. From the late 1980s, music synthesizer are increasingly widely used.
