Tanzania: Marahaba Swahili Music Festival returns in October

The annual event, which will now take place for the fifth time since its inception, seeks to explore market opportunities for local Swahili artists and music products by exposing them to international event bookers and labels.

The organisers have invited 14 local groups of various musical styles and genres to perform alongside international acts from Uganda, Kenya and Indian Ocean island Mayotte. Much like in previous years, the audience will be exposed to music rarely heard in Tanzania.

The festival has been lauded for successfully promoting regional, interregional and international cooperation and networking through music.

Apart from that, the festival promotes creativity and artistic works that relate to social development issues, which are mainly raised by local musicians.

“Since its inaugural edition, Marahaba Festival has played a role of facilitating the practice and growth of professionalism in music performance and presentation through coordinating training, tours, productions and performances for artists,” a press statement about the event reads.

The 2017 artist line-up is yet to be announced. Follow Marahaba Swahili Music Festival on Facebook or visit the official website here.