Maâlem Allal Soudani
“the dreamer”
- 📍
- Essaouira
- ·
- 1952–2024
AI illustration
Biography
Essaouira maâlem of Sudanese descent. Trained by his father, then by Boubker Guinea, Ahmed El Haddad, and Belkheir; earned the title of maâlem at 18. Praised by André Azoulay as 'the generous and talented incarnation of tradition and the Essaouira school' — his style 'marked the renaissance and refounding of this art'. Died in Essaouira on 10 June 2024, aged 72.
Lineage
- Trained by his father (Sudanese-descended Gnaoua lineage)
- Student of Boubker Guinea, Ahmed El Haddad, and Belkheir
- Maâlem from age 18