formed his own group in 1991. His style is particularly influenced by reggae, but Omar Hayat nonetheless plays true gnawa and is a source of inspiration for the young gnaoui in Essaouira. He participated at the festival of Avignon and has also been working and touring with the German circus Afrika! Afrika! Abelkebir Merchane (also known as Cheb) – He is from an Arab family, none of whom are gnawa. His style is a mixture of marsaoui (Essaouira) and Marrakchi (Marrakech). He was taught by Maâllem Layaachi Baqbou. His son Hicham is also a gnawa master. Abdeslam Alikkane and Tyour gnawa – He is a Berber from the region of Agadir. He learned to play the krakeb at the age of nine. He is particularly interested in the healing aspect of gnawa. He has performed at many international festivals, playing with Peter Gabriel, Gilberto Gil (currently Brazil's minister of Culture) and Ray Lema. Abderrahman Paca – He is one a founding member of the group Nass El Ghiwane. In 1966 he briefly joined the Living Theatre, then two years later met Jimi Hendrix. Mohamed Kouyou – In 1984 he played at the opening of the Moroccan Pavilion at Disney World. He also plays in Essaouira's gnawa festival. Mokhtar Gania – Son of Maâlem Boubker. He is the younger brother of Mahmoud. He played at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark in 2003, sharing the stage with Bill Laswell, Jah Wobble, Gigi, Sussan Deyhim and others. Mohamed Daoui – He teaches the younger generation of future maâlems, for which he has a widespread reputation. Abdelkader Benthami – He owes his education to maâlems such as Zouitni. He lives in Casablanca, and showed his strength on albums such as Bill Laswell's Night Spirit Masters. His sons are both masters, and the youngest, Abderrahim, debuted in 2007 at the Festival d'Essaouira. Si Mohamed Ould Lebbat – At the age of 18 he began to play with Maâlem Sam, whom he accompanied to festivals in France. Ahmed Bakbou – He has worked with maâlems including Ba Ahmed Saasaa, El Hachimi Ould Mama, Homan Ould el Ataar, and Si Mohamed Ould el Fernatchi. He is the first son of Maâllem Layaachi Baqbou, and he is known as "the talking gimbri". Although he sings, he often plays the gimbri with close friends such as Abdelkebir Merchane or his brothers Moustapha and Aziz singing. Essaïd Bourki – His