Khamlia is located 7 km south of Merzouga at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes, doors to the great Sahara desert. The village houses a population called Gnawa, descendants of black African slaves brought to Morocco during slavery times and bought and sold by Arabs, Berbers and Europeans.

After their emancipation from slavery, they survived as nomads moving regularly in search of favorable land for their herds. Around the 50s and 60s, together with the Berber nomads, they started settling down in towns or in growing urban areas. This is how Khamlia was founded. Since then, the main sources of income has been agriculture, livestock farming and lately also tourism.

The Gnawa boast a strong history of ritual spirituality that includes healing, dancing, and music.

In this spiritual sense the tribe increased its importance during the forced migration to Morocco. They crossed the desert on foot, feet and hands chained and they sang to soothe their suffering, in search of peace. The sound of the chains imitated the sound of the instruments and, while being their cause of suffering it was also their relief. By following the regular rhythm, they liberated their minds.

With the passing of time the musical tradition has been preserved and inherited from generation to generation, together with their social customs and particular traditions.