Category Raven
Warning: this became a jumbled thought-experiment, and therefore may not prove coherent. Apologies. In class last Monday, we spent a good portion of our Tangier discussion (led wonderfully by Kai, hats off) speaking about ideals of tourism and representation. Focusing on… Continue Reading →
In studying gnawa rituals, trance culture, and fusion music movements over the past couple weeks, we briefly touched on the legend of Aisha Kandisha. However, given the feminist undertones of our class, I was surprised and disappointed that we did not… Continue Reading →
Traditional gnawa music is intended for spiritual purification in Morocco, as highlighted in “The Blue Spirit Chose Me” chapter of Rebel Music. It is “believed to heal people afflicted with spirit possession.” When it is believed that the jinn have… Continue Reading →
As those of you who attended Lina Matta’s presentation are aware, Lina Matta is the definition of a film aficionado. Working in television media management and coordinating film festivals for the “well-read, well-traveled” population of Westchester, New York (read: 10th… Continue Reading →
Marie Gisele (featured in the below video) is the image of subversion in today’s music scene. A Brazilian Christian woman who converted to Islam seven years ago, Gisele is a thrash metal guitarist…who performs in a full niqab. Naturally, her… Continue Reading →
Shadia Mansour is a revolutionary in many ways, and just about the definition of counter-culture. Within orthodox Muslim culture, her spoken vulgarity would be frowned upon despite her gender, but is especially so because she is a woman. Within… Continue Reading →