Other · Essaouira, Marrakech
Guembri (Gnawa Bass Lute)
Three-stringed bass lute with a carved wooden body covered in camel or goatskin. The signature instrument of Gnawa spiritual music.
History & Cultural Context
The guembri (also sintir or hajhouj) is the spiritual and musical backbone of Gnawa tradition, which traces its roots to sub-Saharan Africa. In Gnawa ceremonies (lilas), the maâlem (master musician) plays the guembri to invoke spiritual entities. Essaouira's annual Gnawa Festival has brought international recognition.
Materials
- Carved hardwood bodyHollowed from a single log, typically walnut
- Camel or goatskinStretched over the resonating body
- Gut stringsThree bass strings, traditionally goat gut
Production Techniques
- Body carvingTraditional
Single log hollowed and shaped by hand
- Skin stretchingTraditional
Animal skin stretched and tacked over the resonating chamber
Production Notes
Body carved from a single log (typically walnut or mahogany), hollowed out and covered with stretched camel or goatskin. Three strings made from gut. Neck extends from the body. Decorated with metal rings and cowrie shells. A quality guembri takes 2–4 weeks.
Quality Indicators
Quality
Red Flags
Price Ranges
Small decorative, not fully playable
Standard size, playable, good tone
Professional quality, exceptional wood and skin, master builder
Master maâlem instrument, decorated, performance quality