Artists

Mkalimala is a very popular ngoma group from Magomeni area in Mtwara southern Tanzania, which was established 27 years ago. The group use Makonde masks, a variety of dance styles, combining drumming, comedy and stilt walking. Most of the songs are in Makonde language and some in Swahili, they sing read more

Formed by a group of young people between the age of 17 and 30 years, New Sound Band was established in 1998 in Bujumbura Burundi. Their main aim was to try to encourage young people to engage in more social activities in the war torn country.

New Sound band plays a read more

Parapanda Theatre Lab (PTL), popularly known as Parapanda Arts, is based in the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. It is probably the nation's leading theatre organisation, whose broad objective is to promote theatre in Tanzania. The word parapanda is derived from a Kiswahili word meaning a traditional music instrument used 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

Music lovers everywhere are mourning the loss of legendary musician Makame Faki Makame, who died in Zanzibar, on January 18, 2020, at the age of 77.

Makame Faki needs no introduction, being one of Culture Musical Club's most revered singer-songwriters of Zanzibari taarab music. With his own 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