Tanzanian traditional music is a wonderful way to discover the country's culture. Steeped in history and countless influences, its rhythms accompany the daily life of indigenous populations. Associated with dances and rituals, it resonates with the sounds of the ilimba, the zézé, and ng'homa drums… From the polyphonic chants of the Wagogo people to bongo flava, passing through taarab and dansi… Discover this exceptional heritage!

The Polyphonic Chants of the Wagogo People

Based in central Tanzania, the Wagogo people are renowned for their polyphonic chants. Performed at funerals—or other major life events—these multi-voice songs are also associated with beliefs and accompany numerous rituals. They are, for example, used to invoke rain (and make crops prosper) or celebrate the fertility of women.

During ceremonies, women are the only ones to play the ng'homa, a drum designed exclusively for women. The chants are accompanied by the zézé and ilimba, two traditional musical instruments.

The Ceremonial Chants of the Maasai People

Dance and song accompany the three major life stages of the Maasai: the passage to adulthood, then to the status of warrior and "elder." To become warriors, young men dance to the rhythms of traditional chants from villagers, gathered for the occasion.

These chants are also sung during ceremonies of future married couples. Reserved, the Maasai choose each other without speaking! During these gatherings, young men perform ritual jumps, while women encourage them to the rhythms of the clinking of their jewelry. There are no musical instruments proper, but these traditional chants punctuate the life of the Maasai people and form an integral part of their musical culture!

Taarab – Tanzanian Traditional Music from Zanzibar

Taarab music is the most widespread and listened-to traditional melody in the country. Originating from Zanzibar island, it draws from various cultures (Indian, Persian, Arab, and European). A kind of "sung poetry," taarab speaks of love with subtlety and figurative language known as Lugha ya majazi.

The lyrics are generally accompanied by an orchestra and numerous string instruments, such as the zither or cello. Wish to discover taarab singers? The most famous are actually two women: Siti binti Saad (qualified as the "mother of taarab") and Bi Kidude. Both are from Zanzibar.

Kidumbak Music

Kidumbak is a derivative of Taarab music. More popular and more rhythmic, it is particularly appreciated by young people. In Tanzania, learning Kidumbak is considered an essential step before daring to play Taarab music—which is rather listened to by "high society." The lyrics are much less romantic than the original version. It is more about social criticism than love songs…

The Ngoma and Unyago Musics

The other major musical current of Taarab is called ngoma, which means "percussion" in Swahili (one of the local languages). In reality, there are many variants in Tanzania, and many tribes have their own "ngoma style." Very rhythmic, this music traditionally resounds at weddings.

In Swahili culture, there is also unyago. This music designates a set of rituals and dances practiced in East Africa on the occasion of weddings. It notably celebrates the passage to adulthood of young women.

Zanzibar island celebrates traditional African music on the occasion of its Sauti Za Busara festival, which is held every year in February. This multi-day event gives pride of place to "women artists and emerging talents."

Mitamba Yalagala Kumchuzi

Tanzanian folk music is often instrumental. It honors numerous instruments (the drum, the nyatiti, the qanoun, the nay, etc.), but also the sense of rhythm of indigenous peoples!

Dansi

Muziki wa dansi (more commonly called dansi). It was born in the 1930s in the Dar es Salaam region. It is an African rumba quite close to Congolese soukouss, which became very popular in the 1960s-70s thanks to groups like DDC Mlimani Park Orchestra or the Orchestra Maquis Original (still active). As for instruments? You will hear banjo, violins, mandolin, and many percussion instruments.

Bongo Flava

Bongo flava designates Tanzanian R&B and Hip Hop music. It is a fairly recent style, born in the 1990s. Influenced by American rap, it is also composed of notes of reggae, afrobeat (a blend of jazz, funk, and percussion), taarab, and dansi!

Emerging from an alternative movement, bongo flava scrutinizes social problems such as social injustices or corruption. Mindful of their cultural heritage, Tanzanians increasingly favor artists singing in Swahili.

Audrey Denjean