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06/03/2010

Rita Ray visits the Sauti za Busara Festival in Zanzibar to hear some of the island's leading big-band 'taraab' ensembles. Including a performance from Culture Musical Club.

Rita Ray visits the Sauti za Busara Festival in Zanzibar to hear some of the island's leading big-band 'taraab' ensembles. Including specially-recorded performances from Zanzibar's premier band Culture Musical Club, also the latest sensation Mohamed Ilyas and his Nyota Zameremeta Orchestra.

Taraab dates from the centuries when Zanzibar was a centre for trade in the Arab world - the main instruments in the bands are the Arabic lute and zither, and the scales are Arabic. When the Arab Sultans left, the taraab orchestras formed themselves into collectives, and in the programme the founder members of Culture Musical Club recall the years leading up to independence in 1963, when their band was formed. Taraab is now starting to reach international audiences through the albums and tours of musicians like Mohamed Ilyas. The programme also features songs from Bi Kidude, Zanzibar's 'Little Granny', who despite her great age, can still thrill an audience of both old and young.

WORLD ROUTES

Presented by Rita Ray
Produced by Roger Short

Tel. 020 7765 4661
Fax. 020 7765 5052
e-mail world.routes@bbc.co.uk

Saturday 5th March, 3:00pm

Khadija Baramia/M. Ilyas: Si Rahisi
Mohamed Ilyas and his Nyota Zameremeta Orchestra:
大象传媒 Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival

Cha Kale Dhahabu (all is gold)
Culture Musical Club
大象传媒 Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival

Interview with Taimur Rukhini.

Kanigia Kanenjose (My love came as a dream)
Culture Musical Club, Ft. Rajab Suleiman (qanun)
大象传媒 Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival

Interview with Mariam Hamdani

Handani: Walodhani Ni Mzaha
Mohamed Ilyas and his Nyota Zameremeta Orchestra:
大象传媒 Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival

Interview with Mariam Hamdani

Bakari Abeid/M. Ilyas: Moyoni sina Nafasi
Mohamed Ilyas and his Nyota Zameremeta Orchestra:
大象传媒 Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival

Interview with Bi Kidude

Sika Tito
Mohammed Ilyas and Nyota Zamerameta; Ft. Mariam Hamdani (qanun) & Bi Kidude (vocals)
大象传媒 Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival

1 hour

Last on

Sat 6 Mar 2010 15:00

Broadcast

  • Sat 6 Mar 2010 15:00