Sauti za Busara

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2012 edition of the Festival. Zanzibar concert 480 eng 11feb12.jpg
2012 edition of the Festival.

Sauti za Busara (in Swahili: "Sounds of Wisdom") [1] is an African music festival, held every year in February in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It is centred in the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe), with fringe events taking place at the same time around Stone Town - including a carnival street parade ( Beni ).

Sauti za Busara has become one of the largest music festivals in East Africa, with several hundreds of artists participating each year. It showcases a diverse and dynamic programme of exclusively African music and has over the years provided a stage for local Swahili talent, from Taarab legends like Bi Kidude and Culture Musical Club, to homegrown Tanzanian pop and hip-hop.

The twelfth edition of the festival took place in 2015. However, the organisers have since announced their decision to cancel the 2016 edition due to shortage of funding. [1] Despite the world-wide pandemic caused by Covid-19, the festival took place in February 2021. [2]

The festival continued to grow after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 and 2023 editions featured a mix of established and emerging African artists, with performances celebrating the region’s diverse musical heritage. In 2024, Sauti za Busara marked its 21st edition, highlighting themes of cultural resilience and unity.

The 22nd edition of Sauti za Busara took place from February 14 to 16, 2025, [3] in Stone Town, Zanzibar. The festival's theme, "Voices for Peace," underscored music's role in promoting unity and harmony. The lineup featured a diverse array of artists from across the African continent, including:

The festival kicked off with a vibrant carnival parade through Zanzibar's historic Stone Town, showcasing the island's rich culture and dynamic music scene. Performances spanned various musical styles, from traditional African rhythms to contemporary fusion, reflecting the continent's rich musical diversity.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Official site of Sauti za Busara
  2. ↑ "Sauti za Busara 2021: Organisers pull off successful fest amid challenging times". Music In Africa. 2021-02-17. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  3. ↑ "Sauti za Busara 2025". 2024-10-14. Retrieved 2025-03-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)


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