Fazilet Deff: A lack of documentation hinders tracing the origins of Andalusian music

During a seminar held at the "Rouh El Benaf" venue titled "Andalusian Music: From Origins to the Present Day," researcher Fazilet Deff discussed the complexities of tracking the historical and geographical roots of classical Algerian and Andalusian music. Deff highlighted that the primary obstacle in this field is the scarcity of early, accurate documentation and musical notation. She argues that this musical genre evolved gradually over several centuries through intensive cultural exchange between Andalusia and the Maghreb, eventually becoming a staple in cities such as Tlemcen, Algiers, and Constantine. She also noted that many modern "Mouachahate" date back to the period between the 7th and 11th centuries, contributing to the regional diversity of musical styles and modes witnessed today.