The sixth edition of the Sauti za Busara music festival will take place in Zanzibar, 12-17 February 2009; admission is free to all each day before sunset.
Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) is an international festival celebrating East African music taking place around the second weekend of February each year in Zanzibar.
Featuring top-quality musical performances by more than 400 established and upcoming artists (40 groups in total), Sauti za Busara has already established itself as one of Africa's leading music festivals. It's an event that unites people in celebration.

Confirmed Artists(see 10 most looked at)

Samba Mapangala & Orchestre Virunga (DRC / Kenya), Natacha Atlas (Egypt / UK), Msondo Ngoma Band (Tanzania), Oudaden (Morocco), Nawal (Comoros / France), Culture Musical Club (Zanzibar), Khethi with Kibo Sounds (South Africa / Tanzania), The Moreira Project (South Africa), Comrade Fatso and Chabvondoka (Zimbabwe), Bi Kidude (Zanzibar), TY (UK), Carola Kinasha & Shada (Tanzania), Jagwa Music (Tanzania), Jang'ombe Nursery School (Zanzibar), Joh Makini (Tanzania), Elemotho (Namibia), Mamillion (South Africa), Segere Original (Tanzania), Katapila'Sangula' Ngoma (Tanzania), Sansa Troupe (Uganda), Best of WaPi (Pan Africa), Swahili Encounters Group (Various), Mohamed Ilyas & Nyota Zameremeta (Zanzibar), Iddi Achien'g (Kenya), Rachel Magoola (Uganda), Wahapahapa Band (Tanzania), Omega Bugembe Okello (Uganda / USA), Mutinda (Kenya), Safar (Zanzibar), Kiumbizi (Pemba), Zinduka Ngoma (Zanzibar), Tarbia (Zanzibar), Zimamoto (Zanzibar), DJ Side (Zanzibar), DJ Yusuf (UK / Zanzibar), and more to be announced.

We are proud to announce Samba Mapangala has just confirmed he will be performing with the legendary Orchestre Virunga. He is one of East Africa's best-loved musicians, with a series of hits over the past 25 years, including Virunga, Ahmed Sabit, Vunja Mifupa, Sungura, Vidonge, Dunia Tuna Pita, and Nyama Choma.

Carnival Parade
A carnival and street parade kicks off festivities on Thursday 12th February, featuring a beni brass band, drummers, wanandege (umbrella women), dancers, stilt walkers and acrobats. The parade arrives at Forodhani around 5pm and continues into the Old Fort (our main venue).


African Performances under African Skies
From Thursday through til Sunday, around ten groups perform each day. Big names rub shoulders with upcoming artists. Altogether there are thirty of the best groups of Zanzibar, Tanzania and around East Africa, traditional and modern, acoustic and electric. Plus, another ten groups, from Comoros, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, DRC, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria and UK.
All the music is performed live. Starting in the late afternoon, as the sunshine softens and shadows start to stretch out, and continuing virtually non-stop into the evening, with the final band taking to the stage around midnight.

Main Venue
The main stage of the festival is situated within Stone Town's historic Old Fort (on the grassy side) under open skies. The venue is exploding with colour with around twenty stalls selling food and refreshments, African clothing, music and local handicrafts.
The venue is busy every day with locals and visitors of all ages and backgrounds. We see kids and families in the late afternoon, culture vultures through the evening and party people dancing into the night.

Everyone agrees the atmosphere is unique and special, and Sauti za Busara has a reputation as "the friendliest festival on the planet!"

Tickets and Prices
Admission is free to everyone daily from 4pm until sunset. After that you need a ticket or pass. Prices vary for citizens, residents, and visitors. VIP tickets are available for those who prefer seating.