Artists

Bi Kidude bint Baraka is Zanzibar's most famous cultural ambassador and East Africa's legendary barefoot diva of taarab and unyago traditional music.

Bi Kidude's exact date of birth is unknown, much of her life story is uncorroborated, giving her an almost mythical status. Kidude started out her musical career read more

Black Roots Cultural Group has been immersed in the islands' arts scene for many years. Apart from their regular drama plays broadcast on TV Zanzibar, the group is reinterpreting local traditional dances. The potent messages they convey through their music and drama reach all levels of society read more

Founded in 1958, Culture Musical Club is Zanzibar's most prolific and successful taarab orchestra. The club performs widely at concerts in Zanzibar town, but also frequently travels overland with a fold-up stage and an electricity generator to bring its music to the rural areas. They have released hundreds of songs read more

Born in Zanzibar DJ Saleh is an independent artist who started his musical career in 1990 being part of the group known as Hard 2 Find consisting of three members. After completing his secondary education DJ Saleh continued with a music career originally copying songs of other big artists of read more

Under the direction of Zakaria Ibrahim, "El Tanbura" was established in 1989. Based in Port Said, at the entrance to the Suez Canal, the troupe is ideally placed to influence positively the status of popular art and its performers in its home area. Although only seven participate in this festival, read more

Founded in 1995 by two of Zanzibar's leading comedians, Shabaani Muasi Vuai ( Sekembuke) and Juma Haji Usi ( Halikuniki ) a move which was prompted by Tanzania's general election. They were initially engaged for a campaign to educate people about voting rights on both the main islands of Zanzibar read more