Moroccan Guembri — Handmade Gnawa Bass Lute
The guembri (also spelled gembri, hajhouj or sintir) is the bass lute at the heart of Gnawa music. Every piece we offer is carved from a single wood block by a master luthier (maâlem) and topped with camel skin for that unmistakable deep, buzzing tone.
Price on request — contact us on WhatsApp
What it is
The guembri is a three-stringed bass lute from the Moroccan Gnawa tradition. It has a rectangular resonating body carved from a single log — usually fig or cedar — topped with tightly stretched camel skin that doubles as the soundboard. The long, fretless neck runs straight through the body and ends in simple wooden tuning pegs.
Unlike a standard lute, the guembri is played seated, resting horizontally on the lap or floor, plucked with the thumbs and index fingers to produce hypnotic bass ostinatos punctuated by a metallic buzz from the sarnat — a set of metal plates attached near the neck.
Origins and history
The guembri's story is inseparable from that of the Gnawa people, descendants of sub-Saharan Africans brought to Morocco from the 16th century onward via trans-Saharan trade and captivity routes. It is the sacred centerpiece of the lila, the all-night Gnawa ceremony where music, trance and spirituality combine to honor a pantheon of spirits (mlouk).
Traditionally, only the maâlem — the master musician holding the oral repertoire — plays the guembri during ceremonies. Today the instrument has moved well beyond ritual use, appearing at the Essaouira Gnaoua Festival and in collaborations spanning jazz, rock and electronic music.
Handcrafted the traditional way
Each guembri we sell is shaped in a Moroccan luthier's workshop using techniques passed down through generations. The body is hand-gouged from a solid wood block, and the camel (or sometimes goat) skin is soaked, stretched and nailed by hand before drying naturally.
The three strings — traditionally gut, now usually nylon for stability — are tuned using sliding leather rings rather than a mechanical bridge, giving every instrument its own individual character.
| Instrument type | 3-string bass lute (plucked chordophone) |
|---|---|
| Overall length | approx. 110-125 cm |
| Body wood | Solid fig, walnut or cedar |
| Soundboard | Tanned camel or goat skin |
| Strings | Nylon (gut on request) |
| Origin | Essaouira, Marrakech — Gnawa tradition |
| Level | Beginner to advanced |
How to choose the right one
- Body size: a standard adult guembri suits most players; a 3/4 size exists for children or travellers.
- Skin type: camel skin gives a deeper, more traditional tone; goat skin is thinner and slightly brighter.
- Wood finish: check for cracks and clean sanding — a sign of an experienced maker.
- Strings: nylon is recommended for beginners, as it holds tuning better than natural gut.
- Intended use: for stage or studio work, ask us about an optional built-in piezo pickup.
How it's played
The guembri is played seated, the body braced against the stomach or resting on the knees. The right thumb and index finger pluck the three strings to lay down repetitive rhythmic-melodic patterns, while the left hand stops or releases the strings on the fretless neck. The metallic buzz of the sarnat colors every plucked note, creating Gnawa music's signature texture.
Care and maintenance
Keep the guembri away from humidity and sudden temperature changes — direct sun or a radiator can dry out and crack the skin. Wipe the skin and wood with a dry cloth after each session. Use the included padded case for transport, and slightly loosen the strings for long-term storage.
Also searched for as gembri, hajhouj or sintir — different names for the same Gnawa instrument featured on this page.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between guembri, gembri, hajhouj and sintir?+
They're four names for the same instrument: 'guembri' and 'gembri' are the most common spellings, 'hajhouj' is used in some Moroccan regions, and 'sintir' is a rarer term also used by Gnawa musicians.
Can a complete beginner learn the guembri on their own?+
Yes, with patience — basic rhythmic patterns can be self-taught, but the traditional Gnawa repertoire is best learned from a maâlem or through dedicated video tutorials, which we recommend in our buying guide.
Is the guembri hard to maintain in a humid climate like the UK or Belgium?+
Camel skin is sensitive to ambient humidity. We recommend storing the instrument in its case, away from moisture, and letting it acclimatise gradually after shipping to Europe.
Do you ship the guembri outside Morocco?+
Yes, we ship across Europe (France, Belgium, Spain) and the UK, with reinforced packaging designed for air freight of traditional instruments.
