Tell us what you think:

Warsame
i like taraab, i am somali born B live in uk, i used to go a cafee shop in Old Mogadishu Capital where you always hear taraab songs. this reminds me that >Banadir which is allso called somali capital,,

geedi
if you interested great taraab just search from you tube > Asha Abdow who is from migadishu and enjoy iy

mahmood omar
zenj is a peace of mind althoughwe are poor but heart is big

seamus liverpool england
taarab for me is the essence ofeast african life, mombasa is the heart, the pulse taarab.

Tenge
Well, the best thing is ask your friends wakutumie CDs kutoka home ama jameni waweza kununua taarab music from calabash world music kiboko yao

kaka suleiman Majengo now in UK
The BBC is always a step ahead. Kudos to you guys for your unswervering and unflinching efforts. I am sure everyone who loves swahili (the widely spoken language in Africa} appreciates your endevours. In Pumwani- Nairobi we got a very strong swahili speaking community and always listen to taarabu

Lyanga
This is the only uniting music that East Africa and the Swahili world does to perfection. It is our music and we should do everything to promote it into the worldwide arena.Taarab idumu

kakaz
Hongera! its kudos for those who came up with this idea. ni mpenzi wa taarab mimi kutoka Pumwani mji wa waswahili wa kale jijini Nairobi.Ni Pumwani pekee utakapo pata kongamano kubwa la waswahili kutoka maeneo mbalimbali. Watu kutoka zanzibar,Lamu,mombasa,koyama,ngazija,wabajuni na watanzania kwa jumla. Hivyo basi uhondo hapa umenata. Bebwa ndio neno tulitumialo kimtaa kuashiria taarabu. kaka in UK

Sarah - Maputo Mozambique
I love tarab, altough I am not from Zanzibar! But... I also belong to the Indian Ocean, and to the Winds!...Assante

samson odhiambo ziro in kenya
drop dead georgeous are the sounds of the new breed of taarab musical groups,the rusha roho generation,thanks for this lovely opportunity to litsen to them.

Ndex2
Well there is nothing much to say the music has done all the talking let me just say,if you want to relax and get rid of stress just listine to taraab music it helps belive it.

ismael omar, seattle usa
good music i happened to catch them peform here in seattle and oh my they brought the world on their feet good work bbc by featuring those cuts from culture and thanks once again

mohamed shali, ajooba
this is great it reminds me home in lamu, now in usa, philadelphia

munir london
this is 4all the lovers of taarabu,if words could explain and the inner depths of musical passion could relate...this is serenity!!! by the way iam kenyan resident in the uk and am all 4 starting this taarabu infection to the current peace lovers

Abdallah mwasimba seattle
taarabu ipo!congrats to bbc for your efforts.21st centuary looks real now.hope next is promotion thru americans idol to hollywood

HGI, NY
It was a priviledge to be treated to such "tentalicious" and rich voice from my spice island. Thats the way to go BBC - I have and will always love you guys.

Ragini Borhara
Taarab music makes me very nostalgic; it reminds me of my childhood while growing up in Zanzibar in the narrow streets of Stone Town

Abdihakim Affey
Well as Kenyan-Somali i always liked taarab music.its kuls down tensions. Naipenda sana.good work.

mohammad hassan london
it reminds me of by olden days in mombasa during my childhood

omar netherland
that its nice i wish i could get more song pls

Zahra - Oman
Yarabi sejaisadhic. nesame nini? sewazi kuseefu. It is UNBELIEVBLE

Rahma USA
This is great keep it up. Thanks

Madnaa ,birmingham uk
this is wicked,to get chance to listen to taarab music on bbc,what a priviege,congratulation you guys,lete raha

mrembo
First of all I would like to express my gratitude for giving me this oppotunity of listenig to taarab music. I would like if next time i tune to this web sight i Would be able to sample the taarabu music from the kenyan musician like Bhallo and Maulidi, they are my favourit. Once again thank you for giving me this please of taarabu music from Zanzibar. Sincerely Amina

karim in the netherlands
this is absolutly how we as africans are rich in the culture,been in europe we mis africa its only by listening to such muzic you wil never be alone ,i can remember all my friends back in zanzibar trough the muzic .

Ms Rehe
Iam from Belgium butlive in UK my home is Zanzibbar and love my music from TZ Taarab SO I thank you Team of bbc for the goog work and searching.I wish you a very happy Christmas-this and in 2007too,Iam very happy for halp

sade ,usa
Most of the times when am homesick i'll just go online to find a website with taarab or swahilli music and it can be really frustating coz they don't have that many and i miss home so it's only through the music that i can feel home again and i recently found this website when i almost gave up so thanks alot guys i appreciate it,and yes Maashaalah what great music

MUKHTAR A JUSSA MALAYSIA
"ZANZIBAR NJEMA ATAKAE AJE" THATS HOME ZANZIBAR! IT GIVES ME RELIEF WHEN HEARING TAARAB! U WILL NEVER FIND THIS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! "ZANZIBAR NJEMA ATAKAE AJE"

amico mtoto peace lover zanzibar
always when we hear taraab it reminds me of zanzibar and the smell karafu(clove)and my mind explodes with the smell of udi aswell. i imagine crossing the road in stone town and it always makes makes my day as the sun rises in east coast of bwejju and sets in stone town

maina-kenya
Moto sana!The music speaks 4 itself.

Kahura wa Ndung'u, MA- USA
This music gives me deep sense of nostalgia. Having a sentimental attachment to the coastal cultures of East Africa. Keep up the godd works!

naima seattle
i think they are best that is good saund samone kan make drim come thru.

Altaf London
I have loved Taarabu since I was little. During Eid, we used to end up in Pangani (Nairobi) to meet up with my aunt for a traditional meal. I am Indian by origin, Muslim by birth and have been brought up with Kiswahili and Hindi (from Bollywood movies) all around me. So when I used to hear Swahili songs being sung to a popular Indian movie tune, outside the local pan shop, I would just refusde to go home!

Asma
Assalam Alaykum ppl, This Is off the hook, I'm frm znz and I was floating ppl when I was listening to this, I couldn't believe it, not saying that modern taarab is bad but, this old ones just lift me up, reminds me of home and everyone back home, it's kinda crazy but in a good way, anyway I just wanned to say thanx to BBC for putting thing this up, it made my day, I hope you'll put more, Asma, London

ORAO, HOLLAND
THERE`S NOTHING IN THIS WORLD WHICH MAKE ME RELAXED THAN TAARAB MUSIC.I WISH U ALL HAPPINESS, MANY LOVE FROM US HERE IN HOLLAND.

Alliy shilling-Zanz-Tanzania
Im so amazing with tarabu songs especially lovely of ikhwan safaa,tarab will remain to couragious music

aisha
nice soothing music,remind me of back home when i was little listening from the back of the house, since i was too little i wasent alowed to listern to old ppls music. am realy home sick now. ex dar-es-salaam ...original mombao. Thanks who ever you are

Yux...EU
Definetely, I totally agree with you guys that Taarab is the music of calmness and flow of love.

Dr M UK
The music says it all. No words can describe the feelings when listening to such tunes. Sade part of it is that these taarabs are dying a slow death due to hardships on peoples' lives.

imma Nairobi
you guys are fine

Raj, UK
Aaah! Those lingering memories of the beautiful narrow winding streets of Stone town, the haunting beauty of the star studded night skies of Paje' all came rushing back as I listened to this beautiful music. No I am not from zanzibar, but have been there once and folks...what they say is true..once youve been there the place just haunts you forever! Also try the music of Saida Karoli of Tanzania if you get a chance, you sure will book your next holiday to zanzibar then :-)

amal ,europe (origanally from somaal)
This is really beautiful.nice songs 2.whaaawh!!!

Bi, USA
Reminds me of home. The music is soothing and the best. The sound is fantasic.

okito abdallah
this music like ,it is nice music amazing when i here it i remember home Africa , Okito from Gent , Belgium

tusker baridii
ex zanzibarian who had the privilage to listen to this music. a new group new africam melody is awesome as well. ikwahna safaa and culture club are great. a friend of mine produces under the melodica label in kenya. he has some old taraab like the black stars etc

Ringo vancouver ex Zanzibar
masalaam Even God smiled when he listen to this beautiful music.This music is from where I come.if swear if you go there Zanzibar never leaves you even if you leave it Zanzibarian ringo

alycow from london
i realy like these songs its touches my heart especially when i came from mzigo its really reminds me home znz

lyngdoh, India
beautiful. calm & sultry. rich traditional music still prevalent and untouched. undigitised in any sense beatng in little corners of this world.

Majid in Muscat, Oman
Zanzibar Taarab is my favourite music and the only "kipumbazo" when Iam feeling low. Nice to here and see sites like this

milly, mlandege
its absolutely amazing, no words can describe these songs

Ali Amir Ali Toronto
My God this taarab reminded me of my days when I was a child in my birthplace Zanzibar (Unguja)......This will never be the same again.

Holger Simonsen, Greenland
I really enjoy listening to music from different cultures and traditions, and thisd is great!

ronnie Philadelphia PA
Fantastic. I am deciding how I might help.

mamaa from UG
Wow isnt this beautiful, just beautiful. lets have more and more of this. Good work.

cheupe
that was amazing u know what guys no matter where u are the is no better plase than ur own u know what am saying? by the way watu woote wa tanzania HOW YOU ALL DOIN?

issa from sweden...
nice musik...make feel good

lilla-UK
wow this is great keep it up and all the best

Jerrod
wow this is very interesting african music, to the person that said "its kinda weird"... u obvious dont know real music...anyway it sounds alot like indian ghazals....i didnt know this type of music even existed in africa(well those parts of africa), very nice.

MAHSAF
Guys Great Taarabu songs.I enjoyed every one of yor sngs.Can someone tell me how I can get the albulm or any other music by these group. Is this group coming to US any time soon.

Salim, London
As they say in Swahili -- "Leta Raha!"

zeinab amran geogia usa
this guys reminds me home especially during wedding.I am giving aplause to the person who put this music together. keep it up , its maveolus alhamdullilah final i am listen to original taarab.

Mahsaf Marisaf USA
I ve been looking for Taarabu Music for a while now.Not much of it here in America.You can't belief I played your Taarabu songs all day LONG. BOY!!!ITS JUST GREAT Mahsaf

mark msaki
wow! I couldn't imagine listening to such wonderful stuff in the bbc link! the music is superb. to those who have never been in the place, welcome to zanzibar, welcome to the coast of Tanzania. I swear, when you go there, you will get embeded in both music and culture, you will love it!

ali
hello everyone, taarab music is the music that truly relaxes minds seattle,wa,usa

bibby Manchester
amazing music, keeps u relaxed when stress. Keep up with your good work

Afzal canada
na sema absolutely amazing

fatma karama England
wow wow wow this is amazing, It is a revealation to the whole world that Tanzania has a very smooth & beautiful culture which ammounts to peace of mind. I am caught by the gig. Too pretty, this is lot's of hard work which deserves praising.Its not all about music it is also a tutor of swahili so advantageous. Its a piece of thing.

Jacquei live in Essen Germany
Taarabu music made my day. When I went home sweet home in Mombasa. I felt welcomed and comfortable.Congratulations taarab musicians. You are doing fantastic job. I like you even when I am far I have some c.d where I listed taarab!!

Nasser Hamdoon Al Harthi, Paris
Wonderful music, as it evokes the best of many cultures among them arabic, african, persian, portugeese...etc. Swahili is the true embodiment of a world language.

saleh united kingdom
Absolutely fantastic,thanks for modern technology.

jangwaline
the music by various zanzibar artist is fantastic is good to hear them for those of us it reminds us home sweet home

kassim london
very very good never heard anything like it.i am from zanzibar and it is great

Abdulfatah
This is a classic Zanzibar Taarab May Allah bless you all for the effort you spent on this muscic.There is asay some body without culture,music and history is like atree without roots.I was really glad to here the rythem of classic taarab. Abdulfatah from Sweden

She, manchester, UK
Mabruk to this site, i was happy to be able to hear taarab here.Pls can anybody let me know where i can downlord taarab music. shukran in advance.

Jamal - Oman
hi every body.. I was wondering from where can I download Swahili songs? If any one knows about it plz reply immediatly. Thanks for all of you.

Al Maamry S. Ahmed
Nice music, Keep it up

brashdi5, oman
I wish we have more of the latest nyimbos.

hilal al rajhi
hi every body I am an omani guy and have some relatives in zanzibar and all the time tell me about zanzibar and they encourage me to go to visit them there . The fact that I am very eager to go there but I am very busy this time and have no chance to go> So I hope one day to have a chance to go and to see mother of the world

Nahima From Kenya..home in Berlin
Home ,home sweet home in Mombasa is back in my living room in Berlin Germany. Thanks to the Modern Technology for bringing us this Close.Hey Taarabu music Fans..when stressed up in our Busy world, just get home, have a bath,draw yourself down to the soothing tunes from East africa,it helps .especially after a hard days work. Salamu kutoka

Binti
I am just oit of words on how amazing these guys sound. eventhough I am not into Taarab and stuff but just from listening to it just remind me of home and 'Harusi" for those who dont speak swahili Harusi is Wedding. Thanks for the wonderful melody.

Yussuf Mecca, Columbus, OH
what a surprise!!!! never thought if taarab would be online, giving us peace and good memories of our lovely Island. Thanks for bringing Zanzibar closer to all of us who are away from home.

Tamara Badr.Austria
I love it

Laura
uh... that was kinda weird, yet kinda cool, i liked the rythym and stuff... it must be really hard to do vabrato together... overall it was pretty cool..it almost made me fall asleep...but it was cool

mtoto mzori, Oman
Well, my family is orignally from Zanzibar ,but they moved to Oman. i havent been to Zanzibar yet but , i wish that i will go there soon.i love taarab songs actually i listen to them often. my family still have the taste of Zanzibar. so wish that everyone else enjoy this wonderful music.

Mahfoudh, Sweden
I`am happy to hear sound Taarab music,how I think can nice if hear other from Tanzania,and Kenya Taarab Music that was my Idea because mix other country can be best

Swan, Scotland
I was in Kenya recently, & although I didn't hear any Taarab at the time, I was searching for some African music (to remind me of my holiday)& came across this page ... having heard these people play now I'm really sorry I didn't know enough at the time to seek out some live performances while I was there. I'll certainly be looking for some CDs of their work now, wonderful stuff! Paul Mostyn, sorry to hear you lost your cd collectin ... do a Google search for those labels you mention & you should get some information. Good luck

Mahfuz Goteborg, Sweden
Dear my friend can you help me how 2 listen Somali Music,like now I am listening Taarab Music 4 free.I hope U will help me.

Wazazi
Haloo my dear friends,I give so many thanks for listen East Africa Music Taarab.The Swahili lanuage which have used have long history also music make me in memory of love and I have long time,because I am living in Göteborg Sweden.

Tamara Badr London
I love taarab it gives me the satisfaction and pride of my african back ground. Thanx.

Said Stway
I love the taarab because it reminds me alot of things that had happen to me back in 1993

Khatcho. The Netherlands
Its nice music and performance, but it is 80% Arabic music and rithms. I don't recognize it ather than arabic music with zanzibarian words. Where is the african root of Zanzibar?

munir london
absolutely brilliantly

Zahir, Montreal Canada
Magnificent! Evokes memories of Old Zanzibar. My ancestors come from Zanzibar, and whenever I hear this it stirs the soul and brings back memories of what it was like and will never be again, Thankyou

Paul Mostyn, Manchester, UK
I have enjoyed taarab music for many years now, including performers from the Kenyan and Tanzanian mainland and the Comoro Islands (in the local dialect of Swahili, it is known as Twarab here). Sadly, when these groups visit Europe, which is not often enough, they only ever play in the south of England. Is there no promoter willing to promote a longer British tour? I would particularly like to here live the Kenyan taarab artist Zein l'Abdin al-Ahmed Alamoody, an acoustic performer from Lamu now based in Mombasa. Also, most of my world music CD collection, including a wide range of Taarab discs, was stolen in October. I have not been able to find these in shops, even in Sterns on a recent visit to London. Can anyone tell me whether the Dizim and Globestyle labels are still available, and if so where I can find them This year is the centenary of Malindi Music Club, aka Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club, so is there any chance of hearing them on disc or seeing them live? I hope that world music promoters and record executives are reading this!

Raula, USA
Majestic harmonious rhythms-world class music indeed. Absolutely revitalizing.

Abdifatah, UK England
it's nice designed web page with lots of options which are very interesting, Eventhough, i was been able to listen some Taarab music but i will like to ask to put more Taarab song, hence, making the page more attractive to all who fancy Taarab like me. Hope you will do this to improve more and we will appreciate as long as we could listen those Taarab music.

Ginny, Virginia
I'm doing one of the pieces for my IB music class and I chose these guys by random selection... they are incredible. Anyone know what their first piece that they played is called? I'm trying to find a playlist.

Taha Burhani, Toronto Canada.
Absolutely amazing, originally from Zanzibar been out for the last 16 years, not really into taarab but just thought I would listen to something different and this idea of African music came into my mind so Zanzibar immediately popped up. While searching Taarab came up and here I am listening to the most amazing melodies I had long forgotten about....

Mohammed Sameer, Bangalore, India.
Floating through such sounds, one escapes presentness. Taraab de Zanzibar - especially its women, can make empires go decadent and fall, just through their music.

mohammed zanzibar
please usa,europe asia and arabia listen to this music hope you will like it

Claire Johnson, Cambridge
Culture Club, as I now like to call them, gave a stunning performance and I haven't stopped playing their CD since. And what those ladies did with their bottoms was something else!

Mike Grenville, Forest Row, UK
Utterly amazing. From starting off restrained the group worked up to climax with the best and most fun display of bottom wriggling ever! Bi just stood up and let rip - and what a sound from anyone never mind at 93!

William
These guys blew me away with their infectious rythms and dancing..amazing.