Artists

The Atse Tewodros Project, coordinated by the Ethio-Italian writer-musician-performer Gabriella Ghermandi, is an initiative that forges collaborations between traditional Ethiopian and Italian musicians. The project’s repertoire includes songs from the Ethiopian Resistance that fought against the Italian Fascist Regime. By doing so, it reclaims the past, describes the course of human and read more

Batimbo Percussion Magique is a fantastic traditional ngoma group from Burundi, a landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region of East Africa. Known for its massive drums and traditional ngoma styles, Batimbo Percussion Magique group showcases the unique cultures with strong identity of the Burundi people. They have read more

There are many beni bands on the island but this group is one of the best, and a must for any festival. Beni turned the inspiration of colonial military brass bands into a completely local thing, by bringing it into the realm of song and dance competitions. Played mostly at read more

Bi Kidude bint Baraka is Zanzibar's most famous cultural ambassador and East Africa's legendary barefoot diva of taarab and unyago traditional music.

Bi Kidude's exact date of birth is unknown, much of her life story is uncorroborated, giving her an almost mythical status. Kidude started out her musical career read more

The group’s name is derived from the Somali words bismillahi meaning “in the name of Allah” and gargar meaning ‘joining or bringing together’. Bismillahi Gargar is a collective group of women of Somali origin from Garissa, North Eastern Kenya.

Formed in 2003 with the purpose of reminding people of read more

Black Roots Cultural Group has been immersed in the islands' arts scene for many years. Apart from their regular drama plays broadcast on TV Zanzibar, the group is reinterpreting local traditional dances. The potent messages they convey through their music and drama reach all levels of society read more