Krakebs

Krakebs
Set of qaraqib
Other names	Qraqeb, Qaragib, Garagab
Classification	Idiophone

Krakebs (qraqeb), or garagab (Arabic: قراقب‎) are a large iron castanet-like musical instrument primarily used as the rhythmic aspect of Gnawa music.^[1] Gnawa today is part of the Moroccan and North African culture and is inherent in the Moroccan soundscape.

Cultural Significance

Gnawa music is a spiritual music representing the history of sub-Saharan West African people who were sold as slaves ^[2] in present-day Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria or Greater Maghreb. “...stories are told to those who are connected with their history by the very sound of the krakebs – they represent the sound of horses hooves hitting the ground as their people were carried away in grain sacks, and the rattling of shackles that used to hold their people captive.”.^[1]

Body

Krakebs are similar to large iron castanets in that they are handheld cymbal-type instruments which are handmade from iron or steel.^[3] They are Idiophones, meaning that their sound comes from the vibration of the instrument's body. The body is four cymbals (two on each side) attached by a string. Since they are played with one hand, the musician usually holds one in each to play simultaneously.

Playing

In the Gnawa style, krakebs stay closed between hits so that the instrument clanging shut is the most prominent sound. In Tunisia, they are hit and pulled back apart quickly so that the ringing of the instrument is the most prominent sound. Generally, there is one Sintir (Guimbri) and up to 20 krakeb players per Gnawa ensemble. Curtis Blues shows examples of these playings, as well as other cultural significances of this instrument in the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO-9nzR79pc

Traditional Arabic musical instruments

Plucked lutes	Buzuq Gimbri Guembri Lotar Oud Qanbūs Sintir Lavta

Zithers	Qanun

Bowed lutes	Kamanjah Rababa

Lyres	Simsimiyya Kissar Tanbūra

Flutes	Ney Kawala

Reed instruments	Arghul Habbān Jirba Mijwiz Mizmar Mizwad Rhaita

Drums	Bendir Daf Goblet drum Hajir Mazhar Mirwas Naqara Naqareh Riq Tar Tabl baladi

Other percussion	Krakebs Manjur Mihbaj Sagat (zills) Sistrum Clapping Clay Jug

References

1 2 "Morrocan Krakebs | Drum sequencer featuring percussion instruments from around the world". www.rhythmsoftheearth.com. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
↑ Hamel, Chouki El (2008-07-01). "CONSTRUCTING A DIASPORIC IDENTITY: TRACING THE ORIGINS OF THE GNAWA SPIRITUAL GROUP IN MOROCCO". The Journal of African History 49 (02): 241–260. doi:10.1017/S002185370800368X. ISSN 1469-5138.
↑ "Moroccan Qraqeb, Musical Instruments from Morocco at Moroccan Caravan". www.moroccancaravan.com. Retrieved 2015-09-26.

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