Will Ross reports from Zanzibar and Mombasa on how traditional Taarab music is responding to the challenge of new influences. In the 1930's the great Taarab singer, Siti Bint Saad, was a prized ...

When a genre of music that has changed very little of its original format over a period of almost a century begins to embrace contemporary influences, then its traditional fanbase is often stunned by ...

Not so long ago, Christopher John's days were spent herding his family's goats and cows in a rural part of Zanzibar, the tropical island off the coast of Tanzania. But he always loved music and used ...

A famous Zanzibari singer and composer, Siti binti Saad established taarab as a performing art and as a mouthpiece for women in East Africa. In the process, she became a pioneer in many ways. Siti ...

On the fourth day of the 96th Kenya Music Festival, youthful and graceful Taarab performances stood out as primary schools stepped back, making way for secondary schools. Tuesday featured only girls' ...

As a young girl, Zaituni Wambui heard plenty of music influenced by Arab culture and recitals of the Koran playing in her parents’ household. These rhythms left a lasting impression on her and three ...

Along the East African coastal strip, few musical styles can rival the popularity enjoyed by taarab melodies, a genre believed to date back to late 19th century. Among the Swahili communities, live ...

Teenager Neema Florence Surrie started to play the violin at the age of nine. Since then, she has found a love for traditional taarab music and plays in an all-female taarab music group in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar — MAULID Mohamed 'Machaprala,' former star of the Taarab music in Zanzibar, has died after long illness associated with diabetic complications. He was in his 70s. Machaprala passed away on ...

A famous Zanzibari singer and composer, Siti binti Saad established taarab as a performing artist and as a mouthpiece for women in East Africa. In the process, she became a pioneer in many ways. Aude ...