Morocco is small country on the coast of Africa, directly underneath Spain and bordered by Algeria. The country has been Islamic since the late 7th century, was under French colonial rule in the 20th century, and is now an independent monarchy. It stands at the crossroads of three cultural systems: the Middle East, Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The music of Morocco reflects its geographic position; Moroccan music has been influenced by Spanish traditions, sub-Saharan African slaves, Middle Eastern musicians, and the native Berbers. Morocco's unique position has allowed it to become one of the most independent and autonomous music systems in the entire world; it is far enough from the Middle East to escape the majority of the heavy musical influence of Turkey, separated from Sub-Saharan Africa by the Sahara, and separated from Europe by the Mediterranean. Moroccans have a music culture that, although it has been influenced by many different cultures, is all their own.
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