workshops

Zanzibar is not only about pristine beaches washed out by the gentle ocean in all shades of blue. The beauty of the archipelago lies also in its people and their culture. Music in Zanzibar is a living tradition, telling stories of the days past and present.

At Dhow Countries Music Academy  – the only music school on the island  – we are proud to be the cultural ambassadors, teaching, preserving and developing the unique musical heritage  of Zanzibar and the Swahili coast.

We want to introduce you the beauty of traditional Zanzibari music. We offer you a musical journey through the unique rhytms and melodies of our beautiful island.

THE BEAUTY OF TAARAB
Presentation
– learn the history and meaning of taarab
– see and try to play traditional instruments
– listen to a short taarab performance

Like much of the island’s culture, the music of Zanzibar is a mosaic of different inspirations. Taarab ilustrates this perfectly. It has fluorished since the first decades of 19th century, becoming the region’s first type of music present in mass media

DURATION: 90 minutes
PRICES

1-3 people:      40 USD
4-10 people:   30 USD
11-20 people: 25 USD
20+ people:    20 USD

THE POWER OF NGOMA
Workshops
– learn the basics of ngoma drumming

Ngoma is not only the name of traditional drum, but also a highly entertaining genre of music and dances, many of them originating from Zanzibar archipelago. One of the popular ngomas is msewe, from Pemba, used to evoke the spirits, danced with the shakers tied to dancer’s ankles.

DURATION: 60 minutes
PRICES
1-3 people:      35 USD
4-10 people:   25 USD
11-20 people: 15USD

TABLAH: FEEL THE ORIENT
Workshops
– learn the basics of tablah drumming

The tablah, or darbouka, is a vase-shaped drum made from earthenware or metal. It is one of the most popular Arabic percussion instruments, a lead drum in taarab and often featured during belly dance performances.

DURATION: 60 minutes
PRICES
1-3 people:      35 USD
4-10 people:   25 USD
11-20 people: 15USD

KIDUMBAKl: GROOVE FROM THE SUBURBS
Presentation
– learn the history and meaning of kidumbak
– see and try to play traditional instruments
– watch a short kidumbak performance

Greatly inluenced by taarab, kidumbak is traditional music popular in the villages of Zanzibar. There, overcoming the lack of instruments, local musicians invented their own i.e. sanduku, a one-string bass made with a wooden box, Kidumbak can enjoyed during celebrations, especially during weddings

DURATION: 90 minutes
PRICES
1-3 people:      35 USD
4-10 people:   25 USD
11-20 people: 15USD

KIDUMBAK: ALL ABOUT THE RHYTHM
Workshops
– learn how to move like a real kidumbak dancer

Kidumbak dancers are usually female, though men are also welcome to join in. The energy of the dance is concentrated in the hips that wind around to the beat in a controlled, hypnotic movement. Usually kidumbak dance is performed at night time. It si something not to be missed

DURATION: 60 minutes
PRICES
1-3 people:      35 USD
4-10 people:   25 USD
11-20 people: 15USD