Taarab is a genre of Swahili-language sung poetry set to instrumental ensemble accompaniment, its name borrowed from an Arabic word for the pleasure taken in music. It originated in late nineteenth-century Zanzibar and spread through Tanzania, Kenya and the wider African Great Lakes region, drawing on musical influences from North Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. According to local tradition, Sultan Seyyid Barghash bin Said, who ruled from 1870 to 1888, popularized the genre by bringing an Egyptian ensemble to his palace, and it reached wider fame in 1928 when singer Siti binti Saad became the first East African recorded by His Master's Voice in Bombay; traditional taarab favors allusive, indirect lyrics, though later performers have embraced more direct themes.
Facts
Place of Origin Notable Example Defining TraitFusion of Swahili poetry sung in rhythmic style with ensemble accompaniment 1 Sources
1. Taarab, Wikipedia
History of taarab music section, paragraph on Sultan Barghash
It was this ruler who initiated taarab in Zanzibar; and later it spread all over the African Great Lakes region.
History of taarab music section, paragraph on Siti bint Saad
the first famous female singer of taarab was Siti bint Saad.
History of taarab music section, opening description
Taarab music is a fusion of Swahili poetry sung in rhythmic poetic style, performed by male or female singers and taarab ensembles comprising numerous musicians.
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.