Dispatch #2: Inside the 2025 Sauti za Busara Music Festival with Afropop in Stone Town, Zanzibar
Our Afropop music travelers were treated to the 2025 edition of the superb Sauti za Busara music festival, set on the jewel-like island of Zanzibar. "Sauti za Busara" translates from Swahili as "Words of Wisdom." This year's theme was "Voices for Peace," perfectly complementing the festival's catchy slogan: "The best place to experience African music is under African skies." We heartily agree!
Thirty artists from across the continent—including Uganda, South Africa, Sudan, Mayotte, Tunisia, Kenya, Rwanda, Congo, Mozambique, Zambia, and of course Tanzania and Zanzibar—performed on four stages over three afternoons and evenings. Artists were often categorized in the program guide as either "traditional" or various forms of "fusion." The festival proved to be a discovery platform since only the festival's headliner, South Africa's renowned singer Thandiswa Mazwai and Kenya's Blinky Bill have previously performed in North America.
Lighting and sound were spot-on, and festival organizers skillfully kept performances running smoothly throughout each fully packed evening. A relaxed ambiance prevailed, allowing attendees to drift comfortably between dancing at the main stage and enjoying performances at the amphitheater within the historic Old Fort, an open-air UNESCO World Heritage site.
Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to the Sauti za Busara team for their outstanding curation and production!
Below are some photo souvenirs along with links for further information, beginning with the vibrant opening day parade featuring traditional horn players, drum ensembles, stilt walkers, and dancers marching through the streets of Stone Town, cheered enthusiastically by exuberant local crowds.
Written and photos by Sean Barlow
The festival audience at the Old Fort was about half locals and half international visitors, mainly from Europe.
The Zanzibar Taarab Heritage Ensemble features masters of traditional taarab from various taarab groups across the Zanzibar Islands, including duet accordion players and duet oud players. Taarab is a cherished tradition that draws on Arabic and East African influences and dates back to the 1800s.
Mohammed Adam, along with his WD Abo group, showcases passionate singing and compositions inspired by his war-torn home country, Sudan. As a cultural activist, Mohammed promotes peace, unity, and cultural preservation.
Christian Bella began his career in Congo before moving to Dar es Salaam, where he formed his Malaika Band. His success as a hitmaker and his crowd-pleasing performance at the festival—where most locals knew the words to his songs—reflect the rich dialogue between Congolese and Tanzanian dance music.
Assa Matusse provided a rare opportunity to experience a talented artist and cultural ambassador from Mozambique. Her work features lyrics in Xi Changana, Portuguese, French, and English.
The Zawose Queens—Pendo and Leah—hail from the renowned Zawose musical family of Bagamoyo, Tanzania, led by the late patriarch Hukwe Zawose. Their mesmerizing vocals are rooted in Wagogo culture, yet they also collaborate with electronic producers. In 2021, the Queens signed with Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records and have since garnered acclaim for their performances in Europe.
Tryphon Evarist is a dynamic, multi-award-winning singer, composer, accordion player, guitarist, and bandleader from Zanzibar, drawing inspiration from both traditional and modern taarab. He also serves as the Artistic Director and instructor at the renowned Dhow Countries Music Academy.
Etinsol Maloya, led by Jordan Perigone—a rising star in Maloya music—is a group from the Indian Ocean island of Réunion. Their crowd-pleasing festival set showcased Jordan’s powerful vocals and traditional local percussion.
Blinky Bill is a versatile artist, producer, and DJ based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is known for blending futuristic African beats with hip-hop, pop, funk, electronica, and jazz.
Other artists from the Sauti za Busara 2025 festival who deserve recognition and exploration include the Swahili Encounters Ensemble (various), Baba Kash & the Band (Tanzania), B. Junior (Mayotte), Boukuru (Rwanda), Ukhoikhoi (South Africa), Leo Mkaniya & the Swahili Blues (Tanzania), Frida Amani (Tanzania), Mumba Yachi (Congo/Zambia), Nidhal Yahyaoui (Tunisia), and Thandiswa Mazwai (South Africa).
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