Afropop Worldwide’s government producer, Sean Barlow, lately interviewed Yusuf Mahmoud, the creator and director of Zanzibar’s acclaimed Sauti za Busara (Swahili Sounds of Knowledge) Competition, East Africa’s premier music competition. Yusuf invited readers to hitch him for a particular celebration for the upcoming 20th anniversary of the competition set for Feb. 10-12 within the open air Outdated Fort–a UNESCO World Heritage site–in Stone City, Zanzibar. Yusuf is fond of claiming “One of the best place to expertise African music is below African skies.” And he absolutely has a robust case to make! Throughout the interview, Sean introduced Yusuf together with his grand imaginative and prescient of spotlighting the Sauti za Busara Competition because the centerpiece for anybody’s go to to Tanzania, preceded by a deep dive into the energetic nightlife of the nation’s largest metropolis, Dar es Salaam, and for a post-festival finale, having fun with some welcome R&R at one of many island’s beautiful white-sand turquoise-water seashores. And die-hard journey vacationers might all the time add a safari tour to one of many nation’s thriving sport parks. (How are you going to resist?) Keep watch over www.afropop.org for extra particulars. Now to Yusuf.
Sean Barlow: Yusuf, welcome again to Afropop Worldwide. Salaam! Peace! Why do not you begin out for the oldsters who’ve by no means been fortunate sufficient to go to lovely Zanzibar–which is most individuals on this planet after all–by describing your island.
Yusuf Mahmoud: Wow, the place to begin?! Zanzibar is a gaggle of islands within the Indian Ocean, round 30 miles from the coast of Tanzanian mainland. We’re simply six levels south of the equator. The primary island of Zanzibar A.Okay.A. Unguja is roughly 60 miles lengthy and 30 miles vast. The inhabitants, round 1.5 million, are principally Muslim. For hundreds of years, Zanzibar was an necessary buying and selling hub, which accounts for its cosmopolitan combine of individuals, with influences from mainland Africa, the Arab World, India, China and Europe. Zanzibaris are heat, open and pleasant individuals. Transferring round is totally secure, and violent crime is sort of unparalleled. In February the local weather is heat and humid, 85-90 levels F, I suppose just like NYC in June-July. The meals is recent and scrumptious; I extremely advocate the numerous fruits, fish and seafood. The competition is held within the previous metropolis of Stone City, a UNESCO World Heritage web site, well-known for its hand-carved doorways and slim streets. After all Zanzibar additionally has among the world’s most lovely seashores, with pristine white sand and clear turquoise waters, excellent for snorkeling and diving.
Beautiful! I wish to go once more ! Why do not you proceed by telling us your private story of the way you got here to Zanzibar?
It was in U.Okay. in the course of the Nineteen Eighties, while working with the anti-apartheid motion, that I first realized the ability of African music to lift consciousness, change hearts and minds and construct solidarity throughout borders. I used to be invited to Zanzibar in 1998, initially to assist arrange a global movie competition. I noticed there have been many distinctive and superb music teams in Tanzania and East Africa that had been unknown outdoors the area. In 2003 I based Busara Promotions as an NGO, to rejoice cultural range and provide employment and coaching alternatives to nurture an East African music business that was linked in trade with different areas of the Continent. Our flagship occasion is the Sauti za Busara competition, (Swahili language: Sounds of Knowledge) which brings collectively hundreds of locals yearly in pleasure and celebration, with audiences from throughout Africa, Europe and past. The subsequent Sauti za Busara Competition will rock the partitions of Stone City from February 10-12, 2023, with the theme Tofauti Zetu, Utajiri Wetu (Range Is Our Wealth). With journey restrictions easing up now and this being our twentieth version, I promise you will probably be additional particular!
Sure, and we a lot wish to be part of you in Zanzibar subsequent February! The place there is a will… Yusuf inform us your imaginative and prescient for what sort of competition you needed to create.
I bear in mind you and Banning each attended our first version in 2004, with some nice characteristic posted on Afropop Worldwide. Again then, my imaginative and prescient was to offer a platform to construct native and world appreciation for various sounds from the Swahili-speaking area, i.e. East Africa. Inside a number of years, we had been receiving purposes from artists from additional afield, and we widened our focus to develop into a pan-African occasion, showcasing musicians from throughout Africa and the diaspora. Artists your listeners could also be conversant in who featured over time embrace for instance Nneka, Blitz the Ambassador, Sampa The Nice, Cheikh Lo, Samba Mapangala, Bassekou Kouyate, BCUC, Somi, Natacha Atlas, Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas, Mokoomba … Nonetheless I ought to stress it is not solely about massive names, we all the time give precedence to ladies musicians and to younger and rising skills. For native artists, the competition has develop into an necessary stepping stone typically resulting in different worldwide bookings and alternatives.
Implausible. Yusuf, inform us about among the artists guests will see subsequent February [and listeners will hear ex post facto on our radio show and on afropop.org.]
Certain, Sauti za Busara will characteristic music teams from North, South, East, West and Central Africa, all performing one hundred pc reside. Some teams embrace BCUC–Music for the individuals by the individuals with the individuals i.e. Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (BCUC). It’s a collective from Soweto, South Africa. BCUC by no means fails to maneuver audiences, bodily and emotionally, with their highly effective messages and explosive rhythms.
MZEE WA BWAX is a well-liked singeli artist from Tanzania. Singeli advanced from mchiriku, to develop into an thrilling and energetic digital model from the poorer neighborhoods of Dar es Salaam. Its rhythms are fast-paced, crazy and repetitive, with rapid-fire vocals articulating typically humorous however pertinent tales over rolling, percussive beats.
ASIA MANDANI is a charismatic vocalist and percussionist from Sudan, now based mostly in Cairo, Egypt. She performs conventional Sudanese folklore and different music kinds. Her music displays delight in her heritage as a black African and a robust lady with a voice that’s magical and, on the similar time, fierce.
CULTURE MUSICAL CLUB was based in 1958. It’s Zanzibar’s most prolific and profitable taarab orchestra. They’ve six worldwide CD releases and have been repeatedly touring internationally. In addition to enjoying the luxurious orchestral sounds of conventional Zanzibari taarab music, additionally they carry out a extra homie dance model of music from the working class areas outdoors of Stone City, referred to as kidumbak.
PATRICIA HILLARY is a legend of ‘trendy taarab’, ‘Njiwa’, taarab to bop to!
STONE TOWN ROCKERZ is a roots-rock-soul-reggae band.
TAUSI WOMEN´S TAARAB UWARIDI BAND is taarab, kidumbak, rumba.
ZAN UBUNTU is unattainable to place in a field.
ZENJI BOY is hip-hop Zenji flava.
NAXX BITOTA. Born within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Naxx Bitota is now based mostly in Quebec. Her music blends Congolese rumba with mutuashi (seductive roots-based pop from southern Congo) and different African kinds with reggae, rumba and Afropop.
SANA CISSOKHO is a soulful kora participant from the Casamance area of Senegal. He was born right into a griot household. His uncles are the legendary kora gamers Toumani Diabaté and Ballaké Sissoko. Sana follows their footsteps in preserving the wealthy Mandinka cultural heritage alive.
ZAWOSE REUNION is a particular mission from Tanzania, paying tribute to the late nice Hukwe Zawose who recorded at Peter Gabriel’s RealWorld studio and repeatedly carried out at WOMAD festivals worldwide. Hukwe’s legacy continues via his youngsters, a few of whom will reunite in February to carry out a particular present together with completely different conventional devices, resembling marimba (balafon), zeze (Gogo two-stringed violin), irimba (mbira) and ngoma (conventional drums). Their singing is haunting, fascinating and out of this world. And it does not matter in case you do not perceive the language, the ability is in its depth of feeling.
And we’re happy to announce a headline artist–the legendary African reggae artist, Tiken Jah Fakoly.
You realize Yusuf, I perceive you have positioned an enormous emphasis on presenting ladies artists and recruiting ladies workers for behind the scene. Speak about that.
Our competition just isn’t solely about leisure. An necessary a part of our mission can also be to offer coaching and capability constructing, in occasions administration, sound engineering, technical manufacturing, stage administration and so forth. And to supply areas for native and worldwide artists, managers, music promoters, media and artistic professionals to community, trade and collaborate. Now we have persistently demonstrated there’s a marketplace for new, thrilling and unique sounds which are uniquely native. Nonetheless, when it comes to performers on stage and crew members behind the scenes, for a few years we had an issue in that girls had been under-represented. I imagine this subject just isn’t particular to Zanzibar but in addition the worldwide music business. So a number of years in the past we determined to attempt to readdress the stability, by proactively in search of extra ladies artists to showcase on stage, and extra ladies to hitch our technical staff, within the hope that this is able to encourage, provide hope and encouragement for extra ladies to come back ahead. It appears to be working! In three years the ratio has doubled: in 2022 round 40 % of teams on stage had been led by ladies and 35 % of crew members had been feminine. Latest performers on the competition, I’d say, supplied nice inspiration to different ladies who would come with, for instance, Sampa The Nice (Zambia), Siti & the Band (Zanzibar), Tausi Ladies’s Taarab orchestra (Zanzibar), Msaki (South Africa) … and plenty of extra. Additionally it is necessary to notice behind the scenes we hosted stage-management coaching by. ladies for girls from the area, and featured all-women panelists at our “Movers and Shakers” conferences, which happen every afternoon in the course of the competition. It was at considered one of these classes the place Carola Kinasha, a celebrated Tanzanian singer-songwriter and competition MC, famous “On ladies in music, the issue just isn’t that we’re not skillful sufficient. It is that each one the decision-makers are males.” Or Somi, a U.S. singer-songwriter of Ugandan and Rwandan heritage, mentioned “Now we have so. few position fashions as African ladies in music that we’re principally right here to carve out new paths, to be the fashions for future generations.” By the best way, these panel discussions are very pleasant and casual they usually have proved to be a superb means for native and worldwide artists, managers, inventive professionals to fulfill and get to know each other.
That is actually inspiring. Ladies energy at Sauti za Busara! You realize Yusuf, I’ve this imaginative and prescient of a dream trip to Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar that mixes cultural tourism, means cool city adventures, seashore tourism with a attainable add-on of safari tourism. It will begin in Dar, journey by boat to the Sauti za Busara Competition because the centerpiece of the journey, and wind up luxuriating on one of many island’s lovely seashores. After which for the die-hards, head upcountry for a safari. What do you assume? Ought to I be working for the Tanzanian Vacationer Board or what?!
We by no means had an issue filling venues, even all through the worldwide pandemic, when the competition continued in opposition to all odds. We preserve ticket costs cheaper for Tanzanians, a essential issue for the competition’s success is that it is a shared expertise between guests and locals. Everybody agrees the vitality and ambiance at Sauti za Busara are out of this world. Because of an incredible crew, which is one hundred pc devoted, our technical manufacturing requirements are excessive. The the sound high quality is superb. All artists carry out as scheduled, on time. After all, we’re additionally blessed with a superb venue, subsequent to the Indian Ocean, surrounded by the distinctive cultural heritage of Stone City. Tanzanians are heat, open and pleasant individuals. Transferring across the island is totally secure and violent crime is sort of unparalleled. In February, Zanzibar is scorching and humid, I suppose just like July in New York Metropolis. No jackets required! Costs listed here are typically a lot decrease than the U.S. or Europe, for meals, transport, and so forth. All meals is recent and tasty– it is a paradise for individuals who like fish or seafood. As you recognize, Zanzibar has among the world’s most lovely seashores, pristine white sand and turquoise waters that are nice for snorkeling or diving. Vacationers to Tanzania are required to journey with COVID vaccination certificates. Sporting of face masks is optionally available. We encourage common washing of fingers, and sanitizer is freely out there for individuals who want to make use of it.
Yusuf, let’s rewind and begin us up for potential guests to the Huge Metropolis, Dar esSalaam. What’s it like?
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s most important business hub. The streets are choked with site visitors. Everyone seems to be busy and continuously on the transfer. I just like the vibe which is so much quicker and extra energetic than Zanzibar. There’s a energetic music scene. Muziki wa dansi (dance music) continues to be going sturdy. Additionally in fact is bongo flava which is what activates most younger East Africans. I hope additionally, you will think about venturing to the poorer neighborhoods the place the digital sound of singeli can also be enormously in style.
Nicely, you recognize Yusuf, Africa is usually offered by the tourism business as sightseeing lions and giraffes. And let’s not overlook seashore tourism. Do not get me wrong–safari and seashore tourism contribute considerably to native and nationwide economies however we at Afropop Worldwide have all the time insisted that the perfect purpose to go to Africa is to interact its good, humorous, inventive individuals, typically enduring tough conditions in fact however in the end surviving. And furthermore, the jewel in Africa’s crown is the continent’s one-of-a variety tradition. So many vacationers simply drop $10,000 to $15,000 on a flowery safari trip or sprint off to the seashore whereas flying out and in of the capital metropolis, by no means stopping to fulfill town people and benefit from the energetic nightlife. What a waste! There, I’ve mentioned my speech!
I could not agree extra with you Sean that Africa is best-loved for its individuals and tradition
So let’s change gears: Huge image Yusuf, Sauti za Busara is 20 years on as of 2023. Inform us among the classes and finest apply rules you have realized.
In regards to the massive image, it is thrilling to see African music blowing up, worldwide. Amapiano is cross-fertilizing with Afrobeats, bongo flava, Jamaican dancehall, hip-hop, grime and entice music and so forth, to repeatedly create new and thrilling fusions. Nonetheless, I’m involved concerning the disappearance of reside musicians. That is one purpose why on the Sauti za Busara Competition we by no means invite musicians who use “playback.” Our motto is “100% Stay.” And we’re joyful to see others in Tanzania at the moment are following our instance. A essential issue for our success is the competition is a shared expertise, between guests and locals. We preserve ticket costs cheaper for all Tanzanians, East African residents and African nationals. Everybody agrees the vitality and atmosphere at Sauti za Busara is out of this world. Sauti za Busara, I believe, is extremely acclaimed as a result of it has saved the main target and stayed constant in showcasing African music, one hundred pc reside. Because of our devoted crew, technical manufacturing requirements are excessive. The sound is all the time prime quality. Artists carry out as scheduled, on time. We do our greatest to make sure youth, ladies and folks from marginalized communities are included. This implies taking dangers in programming however fortunately our audiences have grown to belief us, figuring out the perfect musicians at Sauti za Busara are sometimes those they’d by no means heard of. Musicians perceive its significance and provides their perfect. After all, we’re additionally blessed with a superb venue, near the ocean and surrounded by Stone City’s cultural heritage, and heat and pleasant individuals. Lastly, as you recognize all of us, together with artists, promoters, media establishments resembling Afropop Worldwide are a part of a music ecosystem. It really works higher after we collaborate, work collectively, in win-win partnerships. Recognizing that music is enormously influential, I imagine we even have obligations, to lift consciousness on environmental points, problem injustice, battle racism, communicate out in opposition to corruption, to extend alternatives for the subsequent era.
Proper on, Mr. Yusuf! Lastly, why do not you speak about your ideas on Sauti za Busara’s collaboration with Afropop Worldwide, beginning in 2004 with our protection of the primary version of the competition and quick ahead to 2023 with our position as a media accomplice with the subsequent competition?
Mr. Sean, I’ve been avidly following Afropop Worldwide for 25 years or extra. I need to say effectively accomplished to you and Banning Eyre and to all in your staff for an incredible job to maintain this necessary platform alive. With high quality journalism, in depth and fully in contact with what’s taking place on the bottom. Afropop Worldwide is displaying the perfect of Africa to the world. You had been right here in Zanzibar at our very first Sauti za Busara in 2004. I bear in mind you coated the occasion extensively and actually helped put our occasion on the worldwide map. Our first version was a bit raggedy–the stage arrange seemed a bit like a refugee camp–but subsequent February in 2023, you will notice our competition has come a good distance. We sit up for seeing you once more quickly, as you’ll hear many instances on the streets of Zanzibar, karibu sana (“you’re greater than welcome!”)
Insh’Allah Yusuf… Banning and I hope to see you on the competition in Stone City come February 2023! Anybody studying this who needs to assist make Afropop Worldwide’s protection of Sauti za Busara 2023 and make an replace report on Dar es Salaam on public radio within the U.S. via afropop.org a actuality, can go to our Donate Web page at www.afropop.org/donate and mark your tax-deductible reward as “Zanzibar Fund.” There! I took care of some obligatory enterprise!And chalk this as much as our heat mutual admiration society, however thanks Yusuf to your inventive imaginative and prescient of what a music competition on Zanzibar may very well be and because of you and everybody in your staff to your constant arduous work to construct it up so fantastically these 20 years. And due to your enlightened imaginative and prescient of empowering African women–both artists on the stage and professionals behind the scene. You had a imaginative and prescient and you probably did it and also you’re doing it! Nicely accomplished my man!
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