Gnaoua dancer; Essaouira, Morocco

One of the dancers from the troupe of Maâlem Hamid El Kasri; one of the most celebrated Maâlems in Morocco. Taken at the annual 'Festival Gnoua et Musiques du Monde' in Essaouira, Morocco. Gnaoua music is traditionally trance music, associated with spirit possession, and is derived from the former slaves who were brought to the Moroccan coast from West Africa.