Artists

The Zanzibar Taarab Ensemble captures the great energy of western Indian Ocean cultural expression and has a program of great variety, easily appreciated by any audience interested in hearing instrumental and vocal colours, tonalities and techniques of the fusion of Arab and African music.

The high quality of read more

Unyago is the ancient drum and dance ritual, performed by older women exclusively for teenage girls, which uses traditional rhythms to teach women how to take care of and pleasure their husbands, protect their homes, and other preparations before marriage. Unyago is popular in the islands and coastal regions of read more

Zee Town Sojaz is a hiphop group from Zanzibar. The group was established in 2011 by three zenji flava artists: King Pozza, Kira Kirami and Chaby Six, after releasing their individual songs and getting significant airplay on local and national radio stations in Zanzibar and Tanzania.
They wanted to read more

Ison Mistari, aka Zenji Boy is a new light in Zanzibar’s hiphop scene. His song-writing is critical and conscious, with powerful lyrics and messages that deeply resonate with his Swahili-speaking audience. Ison Mistari’s live performances are highly energetic and his lyrical skills widely feared. He has earned respect and appreciation read more

Zimamoto (put out the fire!) is the name of one of Zanzibar's most talented traditional drum and dance (ngoma) groups. Literally based at the town's fire station, the group is comprised largely of firemen and firewomen.

The group was established only a couple of years ago but already have acquired an read more

Zinduka Ngoma is an original traditional drum and dance group from Nungwi village on the northern tip of Unguja island (Zanzibar).When they perform, local people as well as international visitors always greatly enjoy the spectacle, and often join in.

Originally, Zinduka shows evolved out of celebrations for the times of harvesting. read more