Artists

Born in 1974 in Marsabit, north-eastern Kenya, Bonaya Doti began his music career after years as a community activist for social change. He hails from the Konso, an ethnic group assimilated by the larger Borana community. He sings in the Borana language, with its inimical afro-arabic Cushitic style. Whilst strongly read more

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

Pungwa is a traditional Zanzibari spirit dance found in the northwest of Unguja, and this group is widely described as the most energetic performers in Zanzibar.
More than 150 years ago pungwa traditional spirit dance was established by Shaali Bambao in Bumbwini Makoba village. Shaali Bambao was lost in read more

Debo Band is a nine piece Ethio-groove collective that has quickly earned an ever-growing and enthusiastic following in the USA performing for American, Ethiopian and Eritrean communities. Since 2006, Debo Band has been immersed in the unlikely confluence of traditional East African polyrhythms and pentatonic scales, classic American soul and read more

This young, creative and hard-working band was established in 2019, with the aim to create, develop, promote and cherish the artistic and musical ideas of its members.

Waungwana Band see strength in unity. All in the group are super committed and proud to work as a team in sharing and creating read more

Sanaa Taarab was born in 1983, after the then Zanzibar Ballet group stopped its activities. In its early years the group managed to perform by borrowing equipment from Culture Musical Club, with whom they have a long and positive relationship. Currently the group has twenty artists who are employed by read more