Sauti za Busara(Sounds of Wisdom)Festival 09

 This year’s Sauti za busara festival in Zanzibar had a lot more action. Interesting, sizzling acts from African artistes as well as International artistes did go down well with the huge mixed crowd made up of both local and People who have come as far as France, US, Spain, UK, North America to savour the best of Sauti za Busara festival this year at the old Fort. Opening up with a carnival parade travelling from Kariakoo area through to Michenzani, Mkunanzi,Marikiti,Darajani,Malindi and finally arriving at the Old Fort which is at the heart of the Busara Festival every year.The parade was a huge spectacle that made the small coastal town of Zanzibar come to a standstill. There was a group of young People riding on donkeys waving palm trees reminiscent of the bibilical entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. A group of men doused in coconut oil mixed with black flour made the procession a must watch, Traditional drum beats of the Tanzanian Wazaramo tribe emphasised the traditional aspect which was quite a theme throughout the festival.

 

Busara all Action

Elemotho Namibia

Iddi Achieng Kenya

Perfomances at the festival stood out with Swahili encounters group creating an amazing music blend from new rhythms from an exploration of new harmonies and sound. The result was a gripping perfomance of sounds from diverse artistes. Other great notables are like from Nawal of Comoros gorgeous perfomance that moved the crowd she manages to weave Comoran language, arabic, Swahili, French and English through her music. Blessed with a powerful vocal range, Omega Bugembe Okello moved the crowd to their feet, she connected with the crowd through her music with a rich cultural assortment of instruments.

Nawal of Comoros

 The best of WaPi(Words and Pictures) brought together Africa artistes from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda who gave electrifying perfomances from Reggae,hip hop, traditional fusion of drums, in the spirit of one music one language. Mythical group from Morocco took to the stage with much anticipation from the crowd at the old Fort, their twenty  years of experience shone through, perfoming traditional Amazigh music drawn from North Africa with a fusion of both local and modern instruments, they did the crowd justice. The North African dance by one of their members  clad in white gear, sometimes moving in circles while shaking traditional  instruments was quite a spectacle.

To crown it all the legendary Bi. Kidude the most anticipated act  as usual clearly showed that age is really nothing, music comes from the heart and the heart only and it radiates on the outside. She is the queen of the Sauti Za Busara with a film about her life showing at the festival. Titled ‘As old as my Tongue’  the myth and life of Bi Kidude was every bit as spectacular as her music. The film was in a big way a celebration of the oldest Diva in Zanzibar who at 103 years old doesnt look anthing as putting a stop to her music career!

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