Zanzibar Island has an international reputation for romantic beach holidays. However, the Island is also equally popular for East African cultural safaris. Some areas in Zanzibar such as the house of wonders, the streets of old stone town, the Arab fort, the people's palace, and Dr. Livingstone's house are favorite with visitors on a cultural tour on the Island.
The archipelago and its people have their own unique history and culture, influenced by the traders and invaders over the centuries; from the Portuguese, Omani Arabs to English. The result of this fusion of different ethnic groups has resulted in interesting cultural events such as Sauti za Busara, Zanzibar International Film Festival and Mwaka Kogwa " the celebration of the Persian New Year.
In Swahili, Sauti za Busara literally means sounds of wisdom. The festivals showcase the best of the Swahili speaking world's music, and is probably the greatest musical event in the Swahili speaking world. It is held every February in Stone town's old fort, which comes alive with the festivities. The invited artists range from bongo flava (a music genre popular across the entire East Africa) stars, drumming troupes, taarab musicians, and African ngoma dancers.
In Zanzibar Island's recent efforts to market itself as a global cultural tourism destination, Sauti za Busara is one of the key highlights. The event is popular with the local community as well as the many international visitors who attend. The festival accords local artists opportunity to meet and interact with each other, and in the process exchange ideas that trigger artistic creativity. The sixth edition of the event held from February 12th to 17th saw artists from many parts of the world attend. Performers came from as far as West Africa, Australia and Europe.
The other cultural event in Zanzibar is the Zanzibar international film festival (ZIFF), held every July. It is the largest cultural festival in East Africa, presenting an amazing variety of international music and dance, art exhibitions, theater arts, film and video. The film festival had its 10th anniversary in 2007.
The festival has continued to attract larger and larger crowds each year and gaining international prominence. ZIFF is especially giving a unique opportunity to preserve and promote understanding of culture from across the Dhow countries of Tanzania, India and Oman.
The last week of July sees the village of Makunduchi celebrate Mwaka Kogwa, the Persian New Year. The festival is a riot of colour, filled with rituals and fun. During this festival, men are given the chance to mock fight each other with banana stems to clear any past dispute for the new year. Women on the other hand dress in their best clothes and sing songs about family, love and life.
The highlight of the Mwaka Kogwa festival is the traditional burning of a hut - said to signify the passing of the old year and the start of the new. This ritual is thought to ensure the safety of the village in case of fire during the year and to purge evil from the people and the land. After the fire and fighting there is song, dance, drumming and feasting. Hospitality is extended to all people as the locals believe that any villager without a guest will be the recipient of bad luck and the party goes on till dawn.
Zanzibar has recently gained international recognition as a cultural heritage center due to the above festivals. Those wishing to visit Zanzibar can do so by air, as well as the sea. Gulf Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Mauritius and KLM (in conjunction with Kenya Airways) are presently offering international scheduled flights to Zanzibar. Transport can also be arranged from Dar es salaam which is only a short trip by sea or by air from Zanzibar. Dar es Salaam has regular scheduled flights, small charters and fast boats to Zanzibar. - 15634
The archipelago and its people have their own unique history and culture, influenced by the traders and invaders over the centuries; from the Portuguese, Omani Arabs to English. The result of this fusion of different ethnic groups has resulted in interesting cultural events such as Sauti za Busara, Zanzibar International Film Festival and Mwaka Kogwa " the celebration of the Persian New Year.
In Swahili, Sauti za Busara literally means sounds of wisdom. The festivals showcase the best of the Swahili speaking world's music, and is probably the greatest musical event in the Swahili speaking world. It is held every February in Stone town's old fort, which comes alive with the festivities. The invited artists range from bongo flava (a music genre popular across the entire East Africa) stars, drumming troupes, taarab musicians, and African ngoma dancers.
In Zanzibar Island's recent efforts to market itself as a global cultural tourism destination, Sauti za Busara is one of the key highlights. The event is popular with the local community as well as the many international visitors who attend. The festival accords local artists opportunity to meet and interact with each other, and in the process exchange ideas that trigger artistic creativity. The sixth edition of the event held from February 12th to 17th saw artists from many parts of the world attend. Performers came from as far as West Africa, Australia and Europe.
The other cultural event in Zanzibar is the Zanzibar international film festival (ZIFF), held every July. It is the largest cultural festival in East Africa, presenting an amazing variety of international music and dance, art exhibitions, theater arts, film and video. The film festival had its 10th anniversary in 2007.
The festival has continued to attract larger and larger crowds each year and gaining international prominence. ZIFF is especially giving a unique opportunity to preserve and promote understanding of culture from across the Dhow countries of Tanzania, India and Oman.
The last week of July sees the village of Makunduchi celebrate Mwaka Kogwa, the Persian New Year. The festival is a riot of colour, filled with rituals and fun. During this festival, men are given the chance to mock fight each other with banana stems to clear any past dispute for the new year. Women on the other hand dress in their best clothes and sing songs about family, love and life.
The highlight of the Mwaka Kogwa festival is the traditional burning of a hut - said to signify the passing of the old year and the start of the new. This ritual is thought to ensure the safety of the village in case of fire during the year and to purge evil from the people and the land. After the fire and fighting there is song, dance, drumming and feasting. Hospitality is extended to all people as the locals believe that any villager without a guest will be the recipient of bad luck and the party goes on till dawn.
Zanzibar has recently gained international recognition as a cultural heritage center due to the above festivals. Those wishing to visit Zanzibar can do so by air, as well as the sea. Gulf Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Mauritius and KLM (in conjunction with Kenya Airways) are presently offering international scheduled flights to Zanzibar. Transport can also be arranged from Dar es salaam which is only a short trip by sea or by air from Zanzibar. Dar es Salaam has regular scheduled flights, small charters and fast boats to Zanzibar. - 15634
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