Tanzania: Ongala Music Fest keeps it fresh with a savoury blend of old and new

The huge and diverse crowds it attracts are not only out to enjoy themselves, but to pay homage to the man the festival has been named after: the late Tanzanian musician Remmy Ongala.

Variously described as a futurist, an activist, and even a cultural icon, Ongala’s contribution to Tanzania’s musical heritage will continue to be celebrated long after his demise. A pioneer of the local version of the soukous genre, Ongala is credited for revolutionising live performances and changing the outlook of Tanzanian music.

The festival, founded by the musician’s daughter Aziza Ongala, therefore, ensures that his legacy is honoured, if not always, at least once every year.

And the 2022 edition held on 5 and 7 August at Silver Sands Hotel on Kunduchi beach in Dar es Salaam lived up to Ongala’s vision – bringing together different African artists and fusing their different art forms and musical styles.

In keeping with the founding principles, the organisers assembled artists whose performances brought out Ongala’s musical vibrancy that had concert-goers totally absorbed.

The event showcased multi-generational talent, with artists such as Shabo Makota, Swahili Ally, Siti & The Band, Siti Muharam, and Ambasa Mandela, among others, sharing the stage with legends like Carola Kinasha and Peter Akwabi.

On the second night of the festival, Akwabi gave one of the most iconic performances. The Nairobi-based musician, who stepped out in a 90s-themed black outfit, brought his gravelly vocals and evocative lyrics, accompanied by the rich chords of a classical steel-string guitar, to the stage. His performance not only got the audience pumped up but served to remind fans like John Sadick, who travelled nearly 400 kilometres from Dodoma to Dar es Salaam, that the music of Remmy Ongala's era is still very much alive.

The personal anecdotes that Akwabi shared turned the concert into a symposium of sorts with the audiences getting to know more about Ongala in a way  no other music festival could allow.

Like the previous editions, the 2022 OMF stage setup was tastefully done as ever, and the lighting made Kunduchi beach feel warm and welcoming even late at night. The festival's location out of town not only made the concert-goers temporarily forget Dar es Salaam's madding crowds and headache-inducing traffic jams but also made it possible for them to catch the beautiful sunsets while enjoying the soothing sounds.

OMF director Aziza Ongala said: “The 2022 OMF was a continuation of the journey we started in 2018, but in this year's event we spiced things up a little bit by adding a visual element using paintings and other artefacts that celebrate African culture.”

As expected, some members of Tanzania’s showbiz royalty were also in attendance. This writer got a chance to speak with Grace Matata, the award-winning Tanzanian singer who was part of the audience soaking up the carnival atmosphere. 

The singer described Ongala as a giant of the Tanzanian music industry. “Remmy Ongala is one of the icons that set the stage and made it possible for other music genres such as bongo flava to flourish. Without Remmy [Ongala], we wouldn't even be here. We are standing on the shoulders of giants and he is one of the giants,” said Matata.

Adam Mchomvu, the host of XXL, a flagship music show on Clouds FM, could also be seen having a good time, as was leading music producer Ambrose Dunga who was spotted mingling with other music lovers.

Despite the minimal attention it receives from the country's mainstream media, the 2022 OMF lived up to its reputation and continues to remain one of the leading music events in Tanzania.