SAUTI ZA BUSARA

The Sauti za Busara festival, also known as “Sounds of Wisdom” in Swahili, is a renowned annual pan-African music event held in Stone Town in the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe), Zanzibar, Tanzania every year in February. The festival has been a significant cultural and musical gathering for over 20 years, showcasing the richness and diversity of African music. It features over 400 artists predominantly from East Africa but also from other parts of the continent, attracting a large and diverse audience of around 20,000 attendees over the course of the event.

The festival not only focuses on providing a platform for African musicians but also emphasizes skill-building for artists and technicians from East Africa. Through collaborations with institutions like the Dhow Countries Music Academy, the festival offers training in various areas such as stage management and marketing. Special performances like Swahili Encounters and additional forums like Movers & Shakers and Busara Xtra events further enrich the festival experience by providing networking opportunities and extending performance showcases.

Visitors interested in attending the festival are advised to make accommodation arrangements well in advance due to the high demand during this popular event.