Archival Manuscript/Mixed Formats (Collection)Paul Bowles Moroccan music collection, 1957-1989
Main title
- Paul Bowles Moroccan music collection, 1957-1989 / collected by Paul Bowles for the Library of Congress.
Links
Links
- Finding aid https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/eadafc.af011004 opens in a new window
- Items from this collection may be available online via Archnet https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/archnet.afc1960001 opens in a new window
More Information
LCCN Permalink
Description
- manuscripts 1.25 linear ft. (2 boxes)
- 2 sound discs : analog, 33 1/3 rpm ; 12 in.
- 65 sound tape reels (circa 65 hours) : analog, 2 track ; 7 in.
- 5 sound tape reels (circa 5 hours) : analog, 2 track ; 7 in.
- 18 photographic prints : black and white ; 3 x 5 in.
Rights advisory
- Duplication of the recorded materials may be governed by copyright and other restrictions. Duplication for publication purposes requires the prior written permission of the collector's estate. Address is available in the American Folklife Center.
Access advisory
- Collection is open for research. To request materials, please contact the Folklife Reading Room at https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/folklife.contact
Finding aids
- Finding aid is available in the Folklife Reading Room and online https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/eadafc.af011004 opens in a new window
Local shelving no.
- RXG 6659-6728
- AFS 11623-11687; LWO 3068; LWO 8527 R93-100; LWO 12419 R1-19
- AFS 12016-12020; LWO 3863
- AFS L63-64 (LP sound recording)
- Music 0441 (microfilm, field notes, map) (Music Division)
- AFC 1960/001
Related titles
- Music of Morocco from the Archive of Folk Song
Related names
Biography/History note
- Paul Bowles, an American-born writer, composer, and folk music collector, lived in Morocco beginning in the late 1930s. He has been described as the father of the Beat movement and a prominent figure in the American expatriate community in Tangier, Morocco. A well-known composer, his scores include the incidental music to such plays as Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" and "Sweet Bird of Youth"; he worked with other artists such as Orson Wells, Elia Kazan, and Salvador Dali. As an author, he is best known for his novels such as The Sheltering Sky, Let It Come Down, and The Spider's House, and for his collections of short stories and travel essays. Extensive travel in Europe, North Africa, and South America provided material for his literary works as well as opportunities to collect folk music. He married novelist Jane Auer (1917-1973) in 1938. Paul Bowles died November 18, 1999 at the age of 88.
Organized/Arranged
- Organized by format into the following series: I. Manuscripts; II. Microfilm; III. Sound Recordings; IV. Photographs; V. Map.
Summary
- An ethnographic field collection of sound recordings, photographs, and accompanying documentation of Moroccan folk, popular, religious, and art music. The collection includes recordings Paul Bowles made in 1959 during four six-week field trips sponsored by the Library of Congress with a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation as well as additional field recordings that he and Christopher Wanklyn made between 1960 and 1962. Bowles captured vocal and instrumental music of various tribes and indigenous people at 23 locations throughout the country. The collection includes dance music, secular music, music for Ramadan and other Islamic ceremonies, and music for animistic rituals. Berber and Arab music predominates, and Sephardic liturgical music and folk songs are included. Dance was often integral to the music events. Field notes and correspondence (1957-1989) describe the recorded events (including dance) and the project, and includes correspondence about the work leading to the publication of a selection of the recordings by the Library of Congress. Photographs are undated, and depict locations, performers and their musical instruments.
LC Subjects
- Bowles, Paul, 1910-1999--Ethnomusicological collections.
- Bowles, Paul, 1910-1999--Correspondence.
- Folk music--Morocco.
- Islamic music--Morocco.
- Music--Morocco.
- Dance--Morocco.
- Dance music--Morocco.
- Popular music--Morocco.
- Berbers--Morocco--Music.
- Arabs--Morocco--Music.
- Sephardim--Morocco--Music.
- Percussion music--Morocco.
- Rites and ceremonies--Morocco.
- Jews, Moroccan--Music.
- Songs, Arabic--Morocco.
- Songs, Berber--Morocco.
- Berbers--Clothing--Morocco.
- Sword-dance--Morocco.
- Musical instruments--Morocco--Photographs.
- Musicians--Morocco--Photographs.
- Field recordings--Morocco.
Form/Genre
Notes
- Field notes provide substantial information on the following dances: Guedra, Ahouach, Taskiouine, Gnaoui. Information is also found on the following dances: Aqlal, Ahmeilou, Tahouacht, and dances of the Haha tribe.
- Recorded August-September 1959, and 1960-1962 in 23 locations in Morocco by Paul Bowles.
- Manuscripts in English.
- Sound recordings in Berber languages, Arabic, and Hebrew.
Cite as
- Paul Bowles Moroccan Music Collection (AFC 1960/001), Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
LCCN
- 2004695190
Language code
- eng ara ber heb
Geographic area code
- f-mr---
Other system no.
- afc95000006
- 89935
Repository
- Library of Congress American Folklife Center, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, DC USA 20540-4610 https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/folklife.home opens in a new window
Type of material
- Archival Manuscript/Mixed Formats (Collection)
Item Availability
CALL NUMBER
Request in
- American Folklife Center (Jefferson, LJG31)