Trans Sahara Revisited: An acoustic journey through the history of the Trans Sahara Route

Trans Sahara Revisited: An acoustic journey through the history of the Trans Sahara Route

In 2026, the Marmoucha Orchestra will present a new performance: Trans Sahara Revisited. This production builds on the original project Trans Sahara Electro, which is inspired by the historic Trans-Sahara Route from Casablanca to Cairo. For centuries, this route was a hub of trade, travel and cultural exchange, but it also carries with it a heavy history. In particular, the slave trade is a painful reality whose consequences still linger. This contradictory history, of encounter and exchange, but also of violence and oppression, lies at the heart of the Trans-Saharan projects.

Revisited

Where Trans Sahara Electro worked with electronic elements and visuals, chooses Trans Sahara Revisited deliberately for a completely acoustic approach. The full complement of the Marmoucha Orchestra creates a rich and organic soundscape. In this performance, North African rhythms, Amazigh traditions and contemporary influences come together in an orchestral setting.

Aziz Ozouss and Marmoucha Orchestra

At the heart of the Trans Sahara projects is the musical voice of Aziz Ozouss, who hails from Biougra in Morocco's Souss region. A virtuoso player of taloutart, ribab and lutar, and deeply rooted in the Rways tradition, he brings with him the poetry, rhythm and stories of southern Morocco. In Trans Sahara Revisited Ozouss and Marmoucha Orchestra interweave traditional Amazigh melodies with new, contemporary arrangements. Their meeting leads to a musical exchange that arises in the moment: between different backgrounds, between old and new repertoire, between fixed structures and improvisation. The ensemble captures Ozouss’ musical lines and builds on them together. The result is a sound that is recognisably Marmoucha Orchestra: rooted in tradition and interpreted by innovative musicians.

Trans Sahara Revisited is a journey along the Trans-Sahara Route, in which rhythm and emotion are central and in which there is plenty of room for movement and improvisation. It is music that brings together the sound world of the Sahara, Amazigh stories and questions of our time.

Premiere

The first performances of Trans Sahara Revisited take place at:

• Thursday, 15 January 2026 - Roma, Antwerp
• Friday 16 January 2026 - Muziekgebouw Amsterdam, during Amazigh New Year celebrations
• Saturday 17 January 2026 - HNT The Hague, during Amazigh New Year celebrations

With Trans Sahara Revisited the Marmoucha Orchestra invites audiences on a musical journey through history, inspired by contemporary interpretations and issues. Summary: