Algeria: Sahara Music of Gourara

Gourara, an area of oases, was once prosperous and wealthy, and though some of its music is common to the whole Sahara, some of the most ancient reflects a strong cultural individuality. There's a wide range of music here, some religious, some secular, but mostly reflecting a classic sacred/secular unity-in-duality. The singing is mostly choral with a strong solo lead, and much of it is underpinned with percussion, but there's also some fine reed flute and spike fiddle.