Swahili Music
Swahili music refers to the musical styles and genres that have developed in the Swahili-speaking regions of East Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique. The music reflects the cultural diversity of the region and draws influences from various sources, including Arabic, Indian, and European music.
One of the most popular forms of Swahili music is Taarab, which originated in Zanzibar in the early 20th century. Taarab music typically features a large ensemble of musicians, including singers, violinists, accordionists, and percussionists, and is characterized by its melodious and romantic sound.
Another popular form of Swahili music is Bongo Flava, which emerged in Tanzania in the 1990s. Bongo Flava is a fusion of hip-hop, R&B, and traditional Tanzanian music, and has become popular throughout East Africa. The music often addresses social and political issues and is known for its catchy beats and danceable rhythms.
Other forms of Swahili music include Benga, which originated in Kenya and is characterized by its fast-paced guitar rhythms, and Chakacha, which is a popular dance music style in the coastal regions of Kenya and Tanzania.
Swahili music has also gained international recognition, with artists such as Diamond Platnumz, Ali Kiba, and Sauti Sol gaining a following across the continent and beyond.
To those familiar with the culture and vibrancy of the region, it is little surprise that Swahili music is so rich and diverse. Here we explore three of the genres that have shaped and been shaped by, the communities in which they've prospered.
Swahili Music from the 1850s: taarab takes hold
Over the centuries taarab music has enjoyed the bulk of its popularity in Tanzania and Kenya. Although the precise details of its origin are uncertain, it is thought to have emerged in Zanzibar in the mid-19th century. The word taarab derives from the Arabic for 'having joy with music', perhaps after an Omani sultan brought musicians from Egypt to the region.
Over the years that followed, the music spread fast. Songs were originally sung in Arabic, but by the advent of the 20th century, they started to be sung in Kiswahili.
As it travelled, the influences upon it broadened and it became a fusion of musical forms from the African Great Lakes region (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, and Burundi), North Africa, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent. Variants such as kidumbaki, musically similar but with smaller bands who could tour more easily, sprang up.
Through the way it promoted language, tradition, and identity, taarab also had a part to play in politics and social change. The 1920s saw a growth in the number of female singers, and in the 1950s and 60s, a resurgence in cultural pride informed the development of independence movements, particularly in Kenya and what is now Tanzania.
The sociopolitical influence of taarab continues to be immense. Played at weddings and other communal events, its modern manifestation is one in which women are more vocal than ever and taboos are challenged with vigor and humor.
Swahili Music from the 1950s onwards: dansi and dancehalls
Swahili music has other traditions, one of which is muziki wa dansi – dance music. Often known as dansi, this combination of soukous, highlife, and South African jazz started becoming popular in the 1950s. As a means for Tanzanian urban youth to socialize and express themselves in dance halls, some elders were scandalized at the perceived freedom and looser morals associated with dance. According to them, it led young people to behave in more 'western' ways: drinking alcohol, dancing, and dressing immodestly.
Swahili Music from the 1990s to today: bongo flava hits
The reputation is undeserved and is more a reflection of how the guardians of the status quo in any society tend to feel threatened by any modernizing factors.
Muziki wa dance did not serve to corrupt large swathes of the population, rather, it gave people a new outlet and way to enjoy life. The disapproval of dance was a little different from the shock and disappointment directed at taarab before it. Far from having a negative impact, both developed and ultimately opened up communities.
The third genre we will investigate is bongo flava. Originating in the late 1980s, this form of music blends taarab with hip-hop, Afropop, and dancehall reggae. 'Bongo' is taken from the Kiswahili 'ubongo', which not only means 'brain' but is also the name of a district just outside Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city and the birthplace of the genre.
'Flava' derives from 'flavor' as it is used in hip-hop music culture, namely to denote excellent style and attractiveness.
The origins and attitude of bongo flava mean it has always been considered a vehicle for the concerns of youth, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The lyricism and humor imbue it with an intellectual heft that appeals to the educated classes. The extensive use of Kiswahili and Sheng's speech imparts relevance and modernity.
Again, the music has its detractors. For some, it imitates other cultures' musical forms too closely. For others, it discusses sensitive issues with vulgar candor. These two criticisms are large without merit, but a third condemnation carries more weight because it stems from some of the genre's earliest practitioners.
They complain that contemporary performers have moved too far from the music's roots as a voice for the marginalized and the community towards materialism and selfishness.
Looking forward
Swahili music is a genre of music that has its roots in East Africa and is sung in the Swahili language. It has a unique blend of African, Arabic, and Indian musical influences, which has made it popular not only in East Africa but also across the continent.
In terms of what Swahili music looks forward to, it can be said that the genre has been growing in popularity in recent years, both locally and internationally. Swahili music artists are increasingly using social media and digital platforms to share their music with a wider audience, and this has helped to increase the genre's visibility and popularity.
Swahili music is also evolving, with artists experimenting with different styles and fusing Swahili music with other genres such as hip hop, reggae, and R&B. This evolution is helping to keep the genre fresh and appealing to younger generations.
We hope you've enjoyed our foray into the world of Swahili music. We have seen that it has both lent to, and borrowed from, numerous other forms. The transformations it has undergone are a testament to those who play and listen. Swahili music is an exquisite way to become immersed in Swahili culture and to learn Kiswahili – go ahead and treat yourself!
Overall, the future of Swahili music looks bright, and we can expect to see more exciting developments in the genre in the years to come.
