Jembe Culture Group

The popular Dar es Salaam based music group was officially established in 2006 with three members from Dodoma and three members from the coastal region. A few years later, they expanded to become an ensemble of 13 members.

The group is based in the Mbezi suburb of Dar es Salaam. Using various traditional instruments of the Gogo tribe from the Dodoma region such as the malimba (balafon), zeze (Gogo two-stringed violin), manyanga (rattles), njuga (bells) and different types of drums, they manage to blend the sound of the Swahili coast with traditional Gogo performance styles in what has become their own unique sound.

The word 'jembe' is Swahili for 'gardening hoe.' Jembe has made several performances at various shows both in and out of Tanzania including Sauti za Busara and has been recognized several times as the best tourist attractive group. Currently working in collaboration with Priceless Media Group Ltd, Jembe has managed to make performances overseas in countries like Japan, China, England and Norway.