Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
soukous (
lingala
music) into the East African context. Among the best known is Orchestre
Super Matimila, which was propelled to fame by the late Remmy Ongala (Dr Remmy),
who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre), but gained his fame in Tan-
zania. Many of his songs (most are in Swahili) are commentaries on contemporary themes
such as AIDS, poverty and hunger, and Ongala was a major force in popularising music
from the region beyond Africa's borders.
Also popular are Swahili rap artists, a vibrant hip-hop scene and the hip-hop influenced
and popular Bongo Flava. The easiest music to find is church choir music
(kwaya)
.
On Zanzibar, the music scene has long been dominated by
taarab
(
Click here
). Rivalling
taarab
for attention is the similar
kidumbak,
distinguished by its defined rhythms and
drumming, and its hard-hitting lyrics.
WEDDING MUSIC
During the colonial days, German and British military brass bands spurred the development
of
beni ngoma
(brass
ngoma
), dance and music societies combining Western-style brass in-
struments with African drums and other traditional instruments. Variants of these are still
de rigueur
at weddings. Stand at the junction of Moshi and Old Moshi Rds in Arusha any
weekend afternoon, and watch the wedding processions come by, all accompanied by a
small band riding in the back of a pick-up truck.
Visual Arts
PAINTING
The most popular style is Tingatinga, which takes its name from painter Edward Saidi
Tingatinga, who began it in the 1960s in response to demands from the European market.
Tingatinga paintings are traditionally composed in a square, with brightly coloured animal
motifs set against a monochrome background, and use diluted and often unmixed enamel
paints for a characteristic glossy appearance.
SCULPTURE & WOODCARVING
Tanzania's Makonde, together with their Mozambican counterparts, are renowned
throughout East Africa for their original and highly fanciful carvings. Although originally
from the southeast around the Makonde Plateau, commercial realities lured many Makonde
north. Today, the country's main carving centre is at Mwenge in Dar es Salaam (
Click
mpingo)
come to life under the hands of skilled artists.
Ujamaa
carvings are designed as a totem pole or 'tree of life' containing interlaced hu-
man and animal figures around a common ancestor. Each generation is connected to those
that preceded it, and gives support to those that follow. Tree of life carvings often reach
several metres in height, and are almost always made from a single piece of wood.
Shetani
