Artists

Maulidi Juma started singing in the 1960s and formed his original Mombasa Musical Party in 1972. The group has released more than 40 Recordings and continues to be one of the most popular groups of Kenyan coastal taarab. Their music exemplifies the Mombasa sound which shows the influence of Indian read more

Welcome to one of the world's best kept secrets. The Maulidi ya Homu from Mtendeni, Zanzibar is a visually spectacular and spiritually uplifting experience. In the 21st Century only three groups remain in the world still practicing this religious art form, all based in Zanzibar. 

 Maulidi ya Homu read more

Zanzibar's most promising Hiphop group, playing a variety of Rap, Ragga and R&B music using swahili language, like most hip hop artists their songs are about love and issues affecting daily lives of people in their society. They have participated in a number of concerts and at the 2003 Festival read more

Opportunity for Young Artists (OYA) Theatre Group was formed two years ago under the guidance and direction of their charismatic leader Omari A Kosmas. Their major concerns are to improve the quality and creativity in the playing of Tanzanian traditional music, and to inspire and assist young upcoming artists. The read more

Headed by the charismatic Salome Kiwaya (director/composer/lead vocals), Saki Stars band was formed in 1992 and is based in Dodoma (central Tanzania) with twelve musicians.

Saki Stars is entertaining whilst educational and their songs draw on a diverse range of traditional and contemporary musical influences from around the African Continent and read more

Every year, during the week leading up to the festival, Sauti za Busara, in collaboration with the Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA), provides a great opportunity for local and foreign artists to come together, create unique sounds, practice joint, and finally. Performing together as a complete band.

Swahili Encounters 2024 read more