In Gourara there is a large group of peoples of Sudanese origin. Their presence in this area is a result of the enforced migrations bruoght about by the slave trade which lasted for several centuries and extended from the subtropical regions to the Mediterranean coast. These peoples were freed several generations ago but are still known by the name of 'abid (slave). The descendants of the slaves, therefore, can participate freely in an ahellil or a hadra. It is they alone, however, who perform the dance with qarqabou, and they do this either at certain festivities or at the big Marabout festivals.
This dance is accompanied by songs in the Kouriya language, but as this dialect became obsolete many years ago the meaning of the words is not known. The rhythm is supplied by the dendoun, a large drum with two heads, and most strikingly by the qarqabou, an instrument made of iron which combines the functions of clapper and cymbal.
Гуру Песен