Taarab Music in Zanzibar: A Unique Sound

Zanzibar, an island in the Indian Ocean, has a rich history of producing complex trade routes and unique cultural practices. One of its most distinctive musical genres is Taarab, which combines African rhythms, Arab melodic modes, Indian instruments, and Swahili lyric poetry. This blend of traditions has resulted in a sound that is quintessentially Swahili coast. Taarab is not just background music for tourists; it is a specific art form designed to evoke strong emotions in listeners.

The word "Taarab" originates from the Arabic term "tarab," which describes a state of being moved to overwhelming emotion by music. This concept is central to understanding Taarab, as it aims to create a physiological and emotional response in listeners. The music is not meant to entertain passively but to move the listener to a state where the distinction between the song and personal experience collapses. When Taarab works, the audience does not applaud; instead, they press money onto the singer's forehead.

The origins of Taarab in Zanzibar date back to the 1880s, under the patronage of Sultan Seyyid Barghash bin Said. Barghash was a cosmopolitan ruler who looked to Egypt, Persia, and India for artistic models. He commissioned several architectural projects, including the House of Wonders and the Hamamni Persian Baths. The Egyptian connection had a significant impact on Taarab, introducing Arabic classical music elements, such as maqam scales and instruments like the qanun and oud.

The Ikwhani Safaa Musical Club, established in 1905, is one of the earliest institutional moments in Taarab's history. The club brought together musicians and poets who blended Egyptian musical influence with existing Swahili coastal traditions. Swahili poets began writing lyrics specifically for Taarab, creating complex verses that operated at multiple levels of meaning. The result was a genre that sounded Egyptian to Egyptians, African to Africans, and Indian-ocean-coastal to those from the region.

A full Taarab orchestra consists of several instruments, each carrying cultural significance. The oud, an Arabic lute, provides the melodic and harmonic foundation. The qanun, a 72-string flat zither, produces Taarab's distinctive shimmering sound. The violin is played in a style closer to Arab fiddle technique, with microtonal inflections. The accordion, introduced through European contact, fills harmonic space, while the percussion section provides rhythmic foundation and textural color.

The lyrics of Taarab are composed by specialist poets, known as waimbaji, whose reputation rests on the density and elegance of their imagery. Taarab texts typically operate at multiple levels simultaneously, including surface-level descriptions of nature, social commentary, and deeper meanings. Understanding these lyrics can transform the experience of watching an audience respond to a performance.

Today, Taarab continues to evolve, with modern orchestras sometimes incorporating electric bass and keyboard. Traditionalists have opinions about these innovations, reflecting the ongoing debate about the genre's future. Despite changes, Taarab remains a unique and powerful art form that evokes strong emotions in listeners. Its blend of traditions and its focus on evoking tarab make it a distinctive musical experience.

Key points

• Taarab music in Zanzibar is a unique blend of African, Arab, Indian, and Swahili traditions.
• The genre aims to evoke strong emotions in listeners, creating a physiological and emotional response.
• Taarab's origins date back to the 1880s, under the patronage of Sultan Seyyid Barghash bin Said.