Isawiyya order

The Isawiyya order (Arabic: الطريقة العيساوية, romanized: al-Ṭarīqa al-ʿĪsāwiyya) also known as Aissawa, Issawa, Aissaoua, Issaoua (Arabic: عيساوة, romanized: ʿĪsāwā) is a Sufi religious order or tariqa founded in Meknes, Morocco, by Sheikh al-Kamil Mohamed al-Hadi ben Issa (or Aissa) (1465–1526).

It is known for its spiritual performances, which generally comprise group recitation of religious psalms, accompanied by the use of the oboe ghaita (similar to the mizmar or zurna) and polyrhythmic percussion.

Ceremonies, including symbolic dances to bring the participants to ecstatic trance, are held by the Aissawa in private during domestic ritual nights (lîla-s), and in public during celebrations of cultural festivals and pilgrimages, called moussem-s. Other occasions are religious festivities, such as the Eid holidays or mawlid, celebration of the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.