African Food and Art

This blog explores the wisdom of African proverbs, the depth of folklore, the beauty of art, the stories of history, and the flavors of timeless African food recipes.

Sauti za Busara the Day the Music Died and Rose Again

Sauti za Busara music festival

Music is a very important part of African culture. Since 2003, the world famous Sauti za Busara is one of Africa's best-loved music festivals taking place in Zanzibar, Tanzania however; the music did not play in 2016.

Music is a very important part of African culture. Since 2003, the world famous Sauti za Busara is one of Africa's best-loved music festivals taking place in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Sauti za Busara is 100% live, 100% kuishi.
Sauti za Busara did take place every year in February in Stone Town, Zanzibar and surrounding venues highlighting artists from Zanzibar and Tanzania, across the African Continent and the African diaspora. The 2016 Sauti za Busara music festival is cancelled due to lack of funding.

Sauti za Busara is one of the largest music festivals in Eastern Africa. In 2014, CNN listed Sauti za Busara as one of the seven must-see African music festivals. 

All being well, the 2017 edition of Sauti za Busara will continue to spread the unique vibrant rhythms of African music across the world.  

Sauti za Busara is a unique platform for local unknown African artists to play alongside internationally famous African artists promoting African music as a musical connection to the mind, body and soul.

Sauti za Busara Sounds of Africa Zanzibar Music Festival 

2012

Sauti za Busara is 100% live, 100% kuishi

Sauti za Busara will rock Stone Town, Zanzibar in 2018 On March 31, 2017 a call for Live music performers interested in participating in the 15th Sauti za Busara edition in Stone Town, Zanzibar was sent out. The festival, one of East Africa’s biggest, is slated take place for four days between February 8 and 11, 2018.

Three popular groups who performed at the Sauti za Busara, in Zanzibar festival 2017

A joyful noise from Malawi

Madalitso Band performed this song during the Sauti Za Busara festival in Zanzibar. The title of the song translates as The Smell of Beans. It is about a man who is taken advantage of by his boss. The duo is popular in Malawi, and won many fans at the festival. It was their first trip abroad and the first time they had seen the sea.

Rajab Suleiman

The kanun is a key instrument in Zanzibar's taarab music, which has its roots in the Middle East. Rajab Suleiman studied under Egyptian kanun masters.

The Sahra Halgan Trio

Sahra Halgan is passionate about her homeland, and has recently returned to Hargeisa, having spent many years in France. She has set up a cultural center to try to revive arts and crafts lost during the civil war. The center also hosts live music events. The music she makes with her trio combines the songs of Somaliland with Malian and rock influences.


Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

  1. African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
  2. What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
  3. About African Healers and Witchdoctors
  4. Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
  5. Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
  6. About African Night Running


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

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How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali ...
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Camel Caravans Created the Internet

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Thanks to camel caravans facilitating trade and cultural exchange across Northern Africa, they laid the foundation for global connectivity, which eventually evolved into the internet driven world we know today.  Raising camels When business partners in Northern Africa started using camels, it changed how goods were traded. Before the domestication of camels, it was hard to cross much less carry things across the hot, dry desert. Camels could travel long distances without needing much water, so they made it easier to move valuable items like gold, salt, and cloth from one end of the African deserts to the other. Camel caravans helped people get things they could not find in their own neighborhoods and allowed them to trade to more people. Camels were kind of like how the internet and technology connect us today. Why were camels chosen for caravans across Africa?  Camels were less prone to diseases common in tropical regions, increasing their longevity and utility. Horses and do...
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Disaster That Shook Mayotte to Its Core

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Category 4 hurricane, 136 MPH Cyclone Chido destroyed the French Island of Mayotte. The island of Mayotte is a tiny, 144 square mile  French territory in the Indian Ocean reeling from a direct hit from Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to hit the island in 90 years. Entire neighborhoods have disappeared, along with entire families. Mayotte is rhe poorest overseas territory of France, many accusations point to the debate that it is a forgotten holding place for undocumented refugees. Half the residence live in makeshift houses out of discarded pieces of wood cardboard, and anything else residents can get their hands on. With winds exceeding 136 mph, equivalent to a category four hurricane, on Sunday December 15, 2024, Cyclone Chido caused major destruction causing upwards of 1,000 deaths leaving 80% of the population homeless.  Nearly 84% of residents were already living under the poverty level before Cyclone Chido hit the small island. The infrastructure was very weak on the ...
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Explaining Bones and Stones of Africa

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Why Africa is Connected to Bones and Stones Have you ever wondered why bones and stones seem so important in African spirituality? Bones and stones hold the power for many African people as a connection to the spiritual world for protection in the natural world and eternal universe. The Power of Bones Bones are like the keys to a family’s history reminding people of the ancestors, those who lived before us and passed down wisdom, traditions, and strength. When people think about bones, they don’t just see the physical, they believe the spirits of their ancestors might still be connected to the bones, offering advice and protection. In numerous African culture traditions, spiritual leaders use bones to tell what’s coming. They throw animal bones or shells and look at how they land. Each position tells a story or gives a clue about health, family, or life decisions. Bones hold up the body, right? Because of this, they are often seen as a symbol of strength and support, reminding people...
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