Artists

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

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

Sphiwe Ngwenya, aka Mamillion, hails from Soweto. He is inspired by township life, changes challenges. He aims to take kwaito back to the TKZee era with his beats, whilst fused with a modern sensibility.

Mamillion's main objective is to entertain while dominating the kwaito scene.

Mamillion's recent debut CD, Phakama is filled read more

Rachel Magoola, born of music teacher parents, started singing at an early age. She joined the school choir aged seven and sang throughout her youth both at school and her local church. Rachel trained as a music teacher and taught for eleven years at Namasagali College, a secondary school and read more

Kikundi cha Taifa (National Taarab Orchestra) of Zanzibar was founded many years ago, having a flexible set up but always featuring the cream of the crop of taarab musicians from the Islands.

The group is presently under the artistic direction of two of Zanzibar's taarab maestros, Mr Iddi Suwedi of Culture read more

The Planets is a cultural group that was started in 1990 to encourage preservation of Uganda's cultural heritage. The group has trained its members in various Ugandan traditional dances. The Planets is one of the leading traditional dance groups in Uganda, performing regularly in national festivities, campaign events as well read more