The Dar Jamai Museum (aka “Music Museum”) is located within the 19th century palace complex in Meknes’ Medina. It’s known for its collection of traditional Moroccan musical instruments, and audiovisual displays that are constantly playing.
One of these displays was featured in last weekend’s One Clue Mystery photo (see below). Congratulations to George, who recognized where we were.
The palace structure in which the museum is displayed is architecturally appealing and features traditional Moroccan elements like cedarwood ceilings, stucco, tilework, and a courtyard with a fountain. The palace was built in 1882 by the Jamai family as the residence for Mohammed ben Driss al-Jama’i, the country’s Prime Minister at this time. The photos blow show aspects of the building:
In 1912, during French colonial rule, the palace was repurposed as a military hospital and then as a court, before being transformed into a museum. Most of the musical artifacts on display in the museum date to the 19th and 20th centuries, although a few are older.
The museum was recently restored. Instruments you’ll see include drums, stringed ouds, and lutes. These instruments were variably used by the Berbers, Arabs, migrants from Andalusia, and sub-Saharans. Displays are spread over two floors.
The museum’s collection extends beyond musical instruments and showcases a variety of Meknes’ artisanal crafts—embroideries, ceramics, brassware, jewelry, traditional costumes, and so on. Some of these are featured in the above set of images. Below you’ll see some of the jewelry on display:
You encounter a lovely courtyard garden within the museum complex.
The museum presents an interesting diversion for those with such interests, and gets you away from the hustle and bustle of the Medina.
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