Benefitting country(ies): Comoros, United Republic of Tanzania

Overview:

Taarab music is a traditional form of Swahili cultural expression. Popularly known as Swahili wedding music, taarab musicians and music are an essential part of various multi-day festivities in Zanzibar. Complementary to the activities implemented by UNESCO Dar es Salaam in 2005-2007 in the village of Mahonda and Pemba island– rural areas of the islands of Zanzibar, the project aims at further safeguarding the taarab music in Zanzibar and the Comoros by strengthening the teaching of traditional music styles in remote areas.

The immediate objective is to create, through the expansion of the school of the Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA), an Zanzibarian NGO, and musical exchanges between Zanzibar and the Comoros, a permanent opportunity for local musicians to be instructed and to share their knowledge.

Through the project, it is expected that,

• the music activities and employment opportunities for local musicians in remote areas be strengthened;
• musical tradition be preserved, intergenerational dialogue furthered; and
• CD as recorded during the documentation of musical exchanges between musicians be produced.

01/11/2006 - 01/03/2009 – Safeguarding the Mbende Jerusarema Dance01/04/2008 - 01/03/2009 – Safeguarding traditional Somali performing arts