Jazz and Aita music are forms of artistic resistance

Authors

  • Mohammed Elaloui Hassan II University in Casablanca

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18533/jah.v12i06.2369

Keywords:

Jazz, Aita, Resistance, Sociology, Music

Abstract

This research delves into a sociological discourse analysis of jazz music and Aïta music, investigating their historical connection to social resistance. Aïta music, practiced by free women in Morocco, emerged as a form of rebellion against the constraints of Islamic society, and later served as a means of resistance against the French occupation. Jazz music, once marginalized in American society, transformed into a potent artistic weapon, challenging social injustice and discrimination.

The problem addressed in this study is understanding how these musical traditions evolved from exclusion and marginalization to becoming powerful expressions of social resistance. By analyzing historical accounts and contemporary perspectives, the research seeks to uncover the factors that enabled jazz and Aïta music to overcome adversity and adapt over time.

Our proposition is that both jazz and Aïta music underwent a transformation driven by the artists' resilience and the significance of their message. Through artistic expression, these genres became powerful tools for challenging societal norms and advocating for change. By tracing their evolution from the past to the present, this analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the enduring impact of music as a means of empowerment and social transformation.

In conclusion, this study sheds light on the role of music in shaping and reflecting social resistance, highlighting the strength of human expression in the face of marginalization and injustice. Understanding the historical trajectory of jazz and Aïta music provides valuable insights into the potential of artistic forms to inspire social change and foster empowerment among marginalized communities.

References

Books:

Boujendar, A. (2016). Moroccan Popular Music and Cultural Identity: The Case of Aita. In E. Morgan (Ed.), Music, Dance, and Identity in the Arab World: Performance, Politics, and Piety (pp. 165-184). Indiana University Press.

Ferris, J. (1993). America's Musical Landscape. Brown and Benchmark.

Najmi, H. (2007). Aita Singing - Oral Poetry and Traditional Music in Morocco. Toubkal Publishing House.

Porter, E. (1998). Jazz: A Century of Change. Schirmer Books.

Soum-Pouyalet, F. (2007). Le corps, la voix, le voile: Cheikhat marocaines. CNRS éd.

Edited Volumes:

Radano, R., & Bohlman, P. V. (Eds.). (2000). Music and the Racial Imagination. University of Chicago Press.

Journal Articles:

Chlyeh, A. (2016). Social and Political Implications of Amazigh Folk Music in the Moroccan Postcolonial State. Journal of North African Studies, 21(4), 567-582.

Kabbaj, K. (2013). Between Resistance and Accommodation: Political and Social Dimensions of Music in the Rif, Morocco. Ethnomusicology Forum, 22(1), 5-24.

Radano, R. (2003). New Approaches to the Study of Jazz: A Review Essay. American Music, 21(2), 186-206.

Other:

Davis, A. Y. (1998). Blues Legacies and Black Feminism: Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday. Vintage Books.

Meeropol, A. (1937). Strange Fruit. Retrieved from

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/147921/strange-fruit

Holiday, B. (1939). Strange Fruit. [Recorded song].

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Published

2023-10-04

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